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1 




ADMINISTRATION BUILDING 



THE HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

OF THE 



CITY OF CHICAGO. '^^^^ 4 c-^wfc:^ 



A RETROSPECT 

Covering a Half Century of En- 
deavor from the Founding of the 
Institution to the Present Time 



1 8 7 1—1 9 2 1 



Compiled from Original Records, Reports and Files, and 
Other Sources of Information 

BY 
G. A. CLAUSSENIUS 

Chief Clerk 






LIBRARY OF CON^j.vr. 

APR 25 1323 



DOC'.- 



OFFICERS 

1921 



HON. WM. HALE THOMPSON, Mayor 



BOARD OF INSPECTORS 

FREDERICK E. ERICKSON 

G. W. HALLEMAN 

GEORGE T. MOXLEY 



JOSEPH SIMAN, Superintendent 



Board of Inspectors 



List of prominent citizens of Chicago who have at various times acted as 
members of the Board of Inspectors of the House of Correction: 

Mayors (ex-officio members) 



Roswell B. Mason 1871 

Joseph Medill 1871-1873 

Harvey D. Colvin 1874-1875 

Thomas Hoyne 1875-1876 

Monroe Heath 1876-1878 

Carter H. Harrison, Sr... 1879-1886 

John A. Roche 1887-1888 

DeWitt C. Cregier 3889-1890 

Hempstead Washburne. .1891-1892 



Carter H. Harrison, Sr. . . 1893 

John P. Hopl<ins 1893-1894 

George B. Switt 1895-1896 

Carter H. Harrison, Jr.. .1897-1904 

Edward F. Dunne 1905-1906 

Fred A, Busse 1907 1910 

Carter H. Harrison, Jr. . .1911-1914 
Wm. Hale Thompson. . .1915 



INSPECTORS 



John C. Haines 1871-1878 

Col. C. G. Hammond. . . .1871-1884 

Louis Wahl 1871-1892 

Luther Laflin Mills 1878-1884 

E. S. Albro 1885-1889 

E. W. Blatchford 1885-1889 

W. S Ford 1889-1895 

Gen. W. C. Newberry. .1889-1890 

John Worthy 1891-1894 

Ernest Pecker 1892-1896 

Judge A. A. Goodrich. . . .1894-1901 

Wm. Gardner 1895-1896 

Dr. A. Lagorio 1896-1899 

Rudolph Seifert 1897-1902 

Frank J. Brignadello. . . .1897-1890 
Dr. Mathias E. Lorenz.. 1899-1902 



Major George Mason 1901- 1910 

John Siman 1902 

George Duddleston 1902-1904 

John J. Boehm 1903-1905 

S. Rogers Touhy 1904-1908 

John J. Sloan 1906-1910 

Chas. A. McCulloch.... 1908-1910 

Matthias Aller 1911-1916 

Alois A. Burger 1911-1915 

Dr. M. A. Weisskopf 1911-1916 

Joseph J. Janda 1915-1917 

Ralph Esau 1916-1919 

John J. Sloan 1916-1919 

Geo. T. Moxley, 1917 

Frederick E. Erickson . . .1919 
G. W. Halleman 1919 



Superintendents House of Correction 

Chas. E. Felton Aug. 1st, 1871 to May 1st, 1890 

Mark L. Crawford May 1st, 1890 to July 1st, 1897 

Adolph Sturm July 1st, 1897 to July 1st, 1899 

John J. Sloan July 1st, 1899 to Sep. 9th, 1905 

Andrew M. Lynch Sept. 26, 1905 to June 1st, 1907 

John L. Whitman June 1st, 1907 to July 1st, 1917 

Joseph Siman July 1st, 1917 



Principals of the John Worthy School 



1. Robert M. Smith 

2. Robert Nightingale 

3. Frank W. Stahl 



L. V. Robbins 
Edgar W. Trout 
O. J. Milliken 




FREDERICK E. ERICKSON 




G. W HALLEMAN 





GEORGE T. MOXLEY 




JOSEPH SIMAN 



The House of Correction 
a retrospect 

EARLY HISTORY 

HALF A CENTURY AGO there was erected on the western outskirts 
of Chicago, far beyond what was then the populated part of the city, 

. a small group of buildings, consisting of an administration building, 
a cell house, a boiler room and a workshop, that were to replace the old 
down town prison known as the "Bridewell." 

This was pursuant to an order passed by the Common Council, as it 
was then called, granting the necessary authority for the erection of the 
buildings, in conformity with "An act to establish Houses of Correction and 
authorize the confinement of convicted persons therein," passed by the State 
Legislature, approved April 25th, 1871. 

The site chosen as available happened to be one typical of "Checagou," 
as the old French explorers spelled the name, imitating as nearly as they 
could the pronunciation of the Indian term for the little trading post and 
which, according to authorities, signified "wild onion" with some tribes aod 
"skunk" with others. At any rate the surrounding territory, even at the 
time when the first Bridewell buildings were erected, was alive with skunks 
and raccoons. The vegetation consisted chiefly of prairie grass and leeks, 
or wild onions, with occasional patches of scrub trees and bushes. In 
the rainy season the adjacent "Mud Lake" became an immense swamp, 
being on the eastern end of the water shed of the Desplaines River, 
and was literally alive with muskrats. In season it was a paradise 
for the snipe hunter or for rabbits. The Superintendent and some of 
the officials could stray away from the institution a short distance and 
return loaded with game. The terminus of the nearest one-horse street car 
line was far away. 

What a transformation took place in comparatively few years. The 
vast institution of today is in the center of a thickly populated district, sur- 
rounded by boulevards and spacious grounds, passed by electric street car 
lines and railroads, easy of access by Elevated and far within the bound- 
ary line of the city. 

The construction of the House of Correction was made necessary by the 
insufficiency and inappropriateness of the old Bridewell, founded in 1852. 
For the information of those who are unacquainted with the etymology of the 
word "Bridewell," which term is still frequently used in speaking of the 
institution, it may here be stated that it is derived from an ancient 
castle in London, so called, favorite palace of King Henry VIII, erected near 
St Bride's well, a spring of supposed miraculous powers. In 1553 Edward 
VI gave his father's palace of Bridewell to the city of London for a work- 



10 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

house, and formulated the system of municipal charity. It later became 
a temporary prison or house of detention, with which use its name is 
especially familiar. In old views and maps it appears as a castellated 
building of some architectural pretensions. 

The name has become a generic term for a house of correction or lockup, 
and the gothic castellated style of architecture is generally adhered to in 
places of detention to this day. The terms "Beanery"' and "Bandhouse" 
are occasionally used by the inmates and their friends, or by police officers, 
in referring to the Chicago institution, but the proper and official title is, as 
stated, the House of Correction. The institution was opened on the 10th 
day of August, ]871, by the transfer of the city prisoners from the Bride- 
well to the number of 130 men, women and children. It was customary at 
that time and for quite a number of years afterwards to commit children of 
tender age to the House of Correction. There were received from August 
10th, 1871, to December 31st, 1871, inclusive, 1,825, and discharged during 
that period, 1,719, leaving at the end of the first year 236 inmates, the popu- 
lation of the city at that time being slightly over 300,000. 

Although, as stated above, the institution was officially opened on August 
10th, 1871, it was not \mtil January 15th, 1872 that the system in vogue in 
the old Bridewell was changed to that now existing. Formerly its affairs were 
principally managed by the Comptroller of the city and the Bridewell Com- 
mittee of the Common Council. The Superintendent received from the city 
a salary and a per diem price for boarding its inmates. All other expenses 
were also paid by the citv, and there were no receipts from the labor of the 
inmates. 

The new system, the one still in force, provided for the management by 
a Superintendent under direction of a Board of Inspectors, consisting of three 
members besides the Mayor of the City, who is ex-officio a member of the 
Board. The Board of Inspectors appoint the Superintendent, who has full 
charge of the management of the institution and they select all assistants and 
employees. Since the Civil Service Law went into effect, the positions created 
by the Board of Inspectors are filled by eligibles certified by the Civil Service 
Commission. The members of the Board are appointed by the Mayor subject 
to approval by the City Council. Their term of office is for three years, 
appointments being a year apart, but they frequently succeed themselves 
through reappointment for long periods. 

The original Board of Inspectors appointed by Mayor Roswell B. Mason, 
who was ex-officio chairman, on September 15th, 1871, consisted of Hon. John 
C. Haines, Louis Wall, Esq., and Col. C. G. Hammond. This Board offered 
the position of Superintendent to L. R. Brockway, Warden of the Detroit, 
Mich., Reformatory, who, however, declined acceptance, being prevailed 
upon to remain in Detroit. Mr. George Mansur temporarily was in charge 
of the institution. The Board then appointed Mr. Charles E. Felton, who 
was prior to this appointment the Warden of the Buffalo, N. Y., Peniten- 



ARETROSPECT U 

tiary for nine years, as first Superintendent of the House of Correction, and 
he took charge of its affairs on the 15th of January, 1872. 

It may be stated here in parenthesis that the term "warden" is generally 
applied to the manager, or overseer, of a penitentiary, jail, hospital, or asy- 
lum, sometimes also of a college. The manager of a House of Correction is 
usually termed "superintendent." In fact, the laws of most States, includ- 
ing Illinois, so provide. 

The office of Inspector of the House of Correction is one of honor only, 
there being neither salary nor emoluments connected with the position. 

Although it has been customary for some years past to select two mem- 
bers of the Board of the same political faith as the reigning administration 
and one of the opposite political party, the institution has, with this single 
occasional exception, been remarkably free from political influence. It has been 
the practice of those in power to totally ignore partisanship in appointments. 
There have been only seven Superintendents in fifty years. The members of 
the Board of Inspectors have rarely been changed except by the filling of 
vacancies caused by death or voluntary resignation. Many of the employees 
in supervisory positions have been in the service for a long number of years. 
If the administration of the institution's affairs has been successful, it is large- 
ly owing to that fact. The seven Superintendents have all been men of the 
highest standing in the community, efficient, energetic and of exceptional 
ability, several of them penologists and criminologists of national and interna- 
tional fame. As in the olden days seven roads led from different directions to 
Rome the great "eternal city," so the seven Superintendents of the House of 
Correction, although differing in characteristics and methods, have all contrib- 
uted their share in making this institution the greatest of its kind, not only in 
the United States, but presumably in the whole world. 

Early Constructive Operations 

Reverting now to the early history of the institution, it should be stated 
that the original buildings, erected in 1871, proved to be inadequate from the 
very start, and with the rapid increase of the population of the city and the 
proportionate Increase in the number of arrests, the management was con- 
fronted by the serious problem of finding room for the proper housing of the 
inmates. An additional difficulty presented itself in properly segregating 
male and female prisoners in the single cell house then existing. Appeals to 
the Common Council for sufficient appropriation to erect a separate building 
for female offenders, were for years unavailing, owing in part no doubt to 
financial conditions after the great Chicago Fire in October, 1871, and the 
necessity of rebuilding so many public institutions and making other civic 
improvements. Finally sufficient funds were appropriated to enable erection 
of a separate building with the assistance of the brick manufactured in the 
institution and the labor of the inmates. The additional cell house was erected 



12 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

just north of the one originally built, and it may be mentioned in this con- 
nection, that at a later period (in 1904) these two buildings and an additional 
cell house of 1897 were joined by connecting construction to form the great 
wing now known as the South Cell House. 

It would lead too far for the scope of this article to categorically enumer- 
ate the many improvements and additions in detail leading up to the present 
magnificent complex of buildings stretching for several blocks in a practically 
unbroken line along California Avenue (Marshall Boulevard) from 26th Street 
to "Mt'd Lake" (west fork of south branch of Chicago River, emptying into 
Drainage Canal near Kedzie Avenue) and the ramifications westward from 
the main Administration Building, as also the separate buildings within the 
great walls, not visible from outside the enclosure and the extensions of the 
heating, lighting, power, water and sewer systems. 

The more important constructive operations may, however, be briefly 
referred to, stating as a prelude that the original buildings still form part of 
the main frontage, the pleasing style of architecture of the original adminis- 
tration building having been adhered to in erection of later and more spacious 
buildings. The original buildings referred to had a frontage of 448 feet. They 
were remodeled for a time into a residence for the Deputy Superintendent, 
the Physician and the Matrons. Later on they were again remodeled and 
at present are occupied by such officials and employees the nature of 
whose duties necessitates their dwelling on the premises. The officers* 
dining room and kitchen are also here situated. 

Erection of Main Administration Building and Wings 

In 1886 and 1887 the City Council granted an appropriation of $125,000 
toward the construction of an additional cell house of three hundred cells and 
an administration building, the amount of |166,090 having been asked for. 
The additional $41,000 was granted subsequently. The plan suggested by 
Supt. C. E. Felton and approved by the city engineer, Mr. S. G. Artingstall, 
was carried out in full. The prison constructed was really much larg-r than 
the estimate would cover, but the cost was not larger than anticipated for the 
proposed structures, as a large portion of the labor was executed by inmates 
and the cut stone and brick supplied by the institution. 

The plans submitted by the city engineer and which, as stated, 
were adhered to in all details, provided as follows: 

"The proposed changes would require the construction of two structures 
of similar architectural design to the present building, uniting with it at its 
northerly end— the center one being larger and more imposing than either of 
the others and to be used chiefly tor administrative purposes. The first or 
central structure should project 103>^ feet in front of the easterly line of the 
present female prison and be two stories high, in rear of which should be a 
rotunda (octagon), 75 feet by 75 feet, and three stories high, and a wing 
adjoining same at the westerly end, as hereinafter mentioned, for kitchen, 




-.•^ 




ARETROSPECT 13 

etc. The second structure should be in appearance almost a duplicate of 
the present House of Correction, but larger, and united to same by aid of the 
central structure above described. This would make, as designed, a facade 
of nearly 1,050 feet, 950 feet of which would be used as prison. There should 
also be constructed three wings extending west — one to connect with the 
rotunda in the center of the main building and bain? 50 feet wide by 295>^ 
feet long, and to be used for kitchen, storerooms, chapel, school room and 
other purposes; and two wings to connect with prison, one in rear of its 
northern end and the other midway between same and the structure last 
above described, each of such wings being 50 feet wide by 308 feet long and 
to be used as prisons. 

"The preceding contemplates a prison of sufficient size, with sufficient 
divisions, and with all the appointments necessary for the pioper classifica- 
tion and care of about 1,700 inmates. A large part of the work of construc- 
tion — the unskilled labor part — can be done by inmates." 

The buildings referred to, with but slight alterations and occasional 
repairs, still exist in their entiretu,a. monument to the architectural beauty 
and durability of construction of the time. 

The John Worthy School 

The John Worthy School was the outgrowth of a plan started in the 
year 1894 by Superintendent Mark L. Crawford to teach the juveniles com- 
mitted to the House of Correction, where their education was found to be 
deficient, and up to the year 1896 classes were held in the chapel under the 
direction of teachers furnished to the institution by the Board of Education. 
An appropriation of $80,000 was made in that year by the Board of Educa- 
tion for the erection of a school building adjoining the institution, and on 
completion it was named the "John Worthy School," in honor of Mr. John 
Worthy, member of the Board of Inspectors from July 3rd, 1891, until the 
time of his death, December 12th, 1894, and deeply interested in all ques- 
tions pertaining to the correction of wayward boys. He devoted a large 
share of his time to this subject and was an earnest advocate of all meas- 
ures to improve conditions then existing and zealous in influencing public 
sentiment and securing the appropriation necessary for the erection of the 
school. 

The school building was first occupied in November, 1896, and the boys 
were taken over from the main institution regularly each day to their 
studies. The housing conditions still remained the same, the boys being 
confined in the cell houses and subjected to all the rules and regulations in 
force with our adult population, when, it being apparent that little progress 
could be accomplished until their complete separation was secured, the City 
Council in 1897 appropriated the sum of $50,000 for the erection of a cell 
house adjoining the school and entirely removed from the adult portion of the 
institution. 



14 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

This cell house was completed on July 1st, 1899, when the Juvenile 
Act went into effect. All the boys under 16 years of age were then trans- 
ferred from the main institution to the cell house in the John Worthy School, 
so that the law was complied with and the complete separation so much 
desired was secured. 

It must be remembered that prior to July, 1899, the boys were com- 
mitted by the police justices on petty fines, running from $1 to $100, which, 
if not paid, were served out at the rate of 50 cents per day. The Juvenile 
Act abolished all this, and since it went into effect boys were committed on 
an indefinite sentence, their release depending upon their own conduct, general 
behavior, progress in studies and the environments or home surroundings 
their parents or guardians could provide for the boys upon their release. 

The educational department of the John Worthy School was under the 
control of the Board of Education, represented by a principal and nine assist- 
ants, including one lady teacher for the boys in the primary grade, at first, 
later on an equal division of male and female teachers was the rule, while 
the care, discipline and safe keeping of the boys were vested in the officials 
of the House of Correction, with a day force of three officers and four 
matrons and a night force of four officers. The regular school day (five days 
a week) consisted of two sessions: 9 until 12 and 1 until 4, two hours 
being devoted to manual training and four hours to academic studies. 

The boys arose at 6:30 A. M. and retired at 8:15 P. M. in the winter 
and in summer arose one-half hour earlier. 

hi addition to the regular school duties, all the boys who were able 
were taught to assist in the details of dining room, kitchen and dormitory 
work, being assigned by their captains in regular order. 

A daily drill was also held, while once a week all the boys were drilled 
collectively. Calisthenic exercises were likewise a feature. 

The method of confinement of boys in cells was discontinued one month 
after being instituted, and dormitories were established in the wide corridors 
in the cell house and in other portions of the newly erected building, as it 
was found that vicious practices on the part of some of the boys were quite 
common, and in addition thereto, the terror and despair of eight and ten-year- 
old delinquents on being placed behind the bars was such as to justify abol- 
ishing their use. Boys in the schools who had been there about a year, and 
who had reached the limit of the school's educational facilities— whose home 
environments were such that it was unwise to return them there, were paroled 
to the Superintendent and employment secured for them, they leaving here 
each morning and returning after their work was done, and their evening 
hours and Sundays were filled in with proper recreation. Their actions and 
general conduct were looked after, and they were encouraged to continue and 
progress in their respective lines of employment. 

Comparatively few proved recreant to their trust— quit their positions, 
went to roaming the streets, and were picked up and recommitted to the instr- 



ARETROSPECT 15 

tution. The others worked along, saved their earnings and in from two to four 
months homes were secured for them, either with relatives or with friends, 
who, noting the progress and improved conduct of the boys, were glad to 
afford them a home, from which they submitted monthly reports to the Superin- 
tendent. He aided them in securing employment, and getting a start towards 
a manly, useful life, but for lack of proper accommodations was unable to 
pursue this plan as fully as desired. 

Securing Homes for Dependent Boys 

Prominent citizens took up this line of work. Special mention should 
be made of the efforts of the well known philanthropist, Colonel George 
Fabyan of Geneva, who in August 1903 at his own expense fitted up a large 
dormitory, kitchen, dining room, club room, etc., occupying two floors of a 
downtown office building, and organized what was known as the "Junior 
Business Club/' composed of boys without homes or friends, who, after a 
period spent in the school were by their progress in studies and general deport 
ment entitled to release. Colonel Fabyan was appointed honorary parole agent 
He secured employment for quite a number of boys and gave them a tempo 
rary home. The boys were under supervision at all times while in the club 
and libraries, music, manual training work on a limited scale, instruction in 
stenography, typewriting and telegraphy were provided to fill in the boys 
evenings and Sundays. Boys who k'^pt steadily at work and conducted them 
selves properly, after a period of six months or more were entitled to draw 
whatever money remained to their credit and received a full discharge, making 
their home in such proper place as they might select, or change employment 
as desired. The plan worked well and was continued for some time. 

The work done by Mr. Albert Detloff of Elmhurst, 111., in securing homes 
for dependent boys among the farmers, and exercising a fatherly supervision 
over them, was carried on for years with good results. His work attracted 
the attention of the Court, who commended him on several occasions, which 
commendation has invariably brought credit to the management of the school, 
and he was appointed honorary parole agent. 

A report was also submitted each month to the Superintendent by all the 
school teachers, matrons and officers, each of whom was charged with learn- 
ing the facts pertaining to each boy's commitment, his family connections, 
general disposition, progress and behavior while in their particular charge, 
from which a report was compiled and forwarded to the Judge of the Juve- 
nile Court, in whose jurisdiction the boys were. Upon this report depended 
largely the boy's chances of being paroled. 

That the original policies established for the management of the school 
were approved and continued by later administrations is evidenced by the 
following excerpts from the seventh annual report of the John Worthy School: 

"There has been no material change in our methods of governing the boys, 
though in some directions the efficiency of the service has been improved. The 



16 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

company system still prevails, as it is proving satisfactory, particularly now, 
when we can grade each company more closely. Our discipline is rigid but kind. 
Obedience, cleanliness and neatness are insisted on at all times. Our boys 
are alv/ays under the eye of an officer or matron, and we try in every way 
possible to appeal to and develop the best that is in them, with the hope that 
sooner or later persistent effort in this direction must produce good results. 

"Besides the many boys released to their relatives last year, a number 
were placed in good homes, and in almost every case they have proven them- 
selves honest and trustworthy, and in m^ny ways have shown their appre- 
ciation of tne benefit received here. On several occasions also boys in the 
school who stood well in their reports have been allowed to go to the funerals 
of relatives and to visit their parents on Sunday unattended, and in every 
instance they have returned promptly at the hour designated, thankful for 
the confidence placed in them. 

"Our playground is in fine shape, affording the boys ample opportunity in 
seasonable weather for baseball, football, and other healthy, invigorating 
games, and in summer when the weather is warm enough, they have the 
benefit of a plunge into the swimming pool, in winter they enjoy skating, 
sledding and snowballing, and when the weather is unfavorable the drill hall 
is utilized for basketball, indoor baseball, competitive company drills, etc., to 
work off their surplus energy and to develop brawn and muscle." 

This report would not be complete without calling attention to the first 
judges of the Juvenile Court, the Hon. Richard S. Tuthill, now deceased, 
and the Hon. Julian W. Mack, also the Hon. Timothy D. Hurley, Chief 
Probation officer (now Judge of the Superior Court,) who interpreted the 
various provisions of the Juvenile Act since its inception. The consideration, 
thoughtfulness and the many valuable suggestions they have tendered on 
frequent visits to the school have been important factors in the work of 
redeeming wayward boys and helped the school officials over many 
difficulties. 

That the efforts of the many worthy officials, judges, teachers, 
matrons, philanthropists and others who assisted in the good work bore 
splendid fruit is shown by the fact that many prominent young business 
men of Chicago (far more than the average citizen would imagine) could 
refer to the efforts made in their behalf and the excellent schooling they 
received at the John Worthy School as the foundation of their success. In 
some instances, of course, it was a case of 'Move's labor lost," but a properly 
managed boys' reformatory is the salvation of many a wayward lad, and the 
school amply proved it. 

In October, 1915, the John Worthy Manual Training School for Boys 
was discontinued and the few boys that remained were removed to the new 
Chicago and Cook County School at Riverside, 111. The buildings were 
then remodeled and were for some time used as an Emergency Hospital and 
prisoners were received there through the Police Department without mitti- 



A RETROSPECT 17 

mus, when the urgency of their cases showed that they required immediate 
attention; or in cases where life was at stake, they were admitted and the 
legal formalities complied with later. 

The buildings are vacant at the time of writing this treatise, but will 
undoubtedly soon be slightly remodeled and used for the City Emergency 
Hospital. They are far too valuable to remain vacant and idle for any 
length of time. 

The passing of the John Worthy School was at the time deeply 
deplored by judges, officials, philanthropists, social workers, civic and 
charity organizations and thousands of citizens, who knew the far-reaching 
beneficial results obtained by this great school and juvenile reformatory. 

The fact remained, however, that it was an affiliated institute of the 
Bridewell and public sentiment had long decreed that juveniles should be 
sent to a separate school, or reformatory, remote from the contaminating 
influence of older offenders. Then, too, the Board of Inspectors had for a 
long time urged the commitment of boys from the Juvenile Court to the State 
Institution at St. Charles, or to some new reformatory located in Cook County. 
The City of Chicago for years had been burdened with the care of these 
commitments, which was properly the duty of the State. The advent of 
the great new Chicago and Cook County School for Boys solved the prob- 
lem in the interest of all concerned. Pending erection and completion of this 
new Chicago and Cook County School for Boys, juvenile offenders had 
been sent in increasing numbers to the St. Charles School for Boys and but 
few to the John Worthy School, so that when the transfer of boys to the 
new school took place there were, as has been stated above, only few left. 

Inasmuch as the last principal of the John Worthy School, Mr. O. J. 
Milliken, was entrusted with the management of the Chicago and Cook 
County School for Boys, it may confidently be stated that a great school 
and reformatory did not really cease to exist, but became merged into a 
larger successor. 

Filling and Grading Outer Park 

In 1898 Supt. Adolph Sturm, who, by the way, was one of the strongest 
advocates of the Dormitory system for boys, as opposed to the Cell system, 
conceived the idea of filling in the low ground between the northern part 
of the main buildings and California Avenue by utilizing excavated material 
from the not far distant Drainage Canal. The Board of Inspectors approved 
the plan and the Drainage Board agreed to the proposition. Accordingly a 
narrow gauge track was laid from the Drainage Canal into the Bridewell 
grounds and many hundreds of dump cars of clay and top soil were dumped 
into the grounds. California Avenue was brought up to grade in the same 
manner. 

The center of the area in the outer park in front of the school building 
was not filled in, but was slightly excavated, a six-inch water main from 
the 26th Street pipe line was extended into the excavation and the beautiful 



18 HOLJSE OF CORRECTION 

little lake formed that adds to its usefulness by furnishing the institution's 
ice in winter. 

The slope of the ground permitted the making of an artificial brook, lined 
with boulders, flowing the entire length of the institution, connecting with a 
smaller lake to the south and finally emptying into the river ("Mud Lake") 
and thence into the Drainage Canal. 

It may be mentioned in this connection that the lakes have been stocked 
with game fish. 

Removal of Cell Block from School Building 
to North Cell House 

In 1902 an appropriation was secured enabling the removal of the block 
of steel cells from the John Worthy School, adding them as an extension to 
the nearby North Cell House of the Main Institution. 

The removal of this cell block in its entirety was a noteworthy piece of 
engineering. It necessitated the tearing out of numerous walls and shoring 
up of buildings, the moving of the great steel cell block, weighing about 850 
tons, a distance of several hundred feet, adjusting it to a nicety adjoining the 
old cells, erecting a building 34 feet high, 110 feet long and 50 feet wide to 
enclose the block of cells and make proper connection with the North Cell 
House. The heating, lighting, water and sewer systems were properly ex- 
tended. The North Cell House was increased in length to 360 feet and con- 
tained 434 cells, the added ones having modern lavatory and toilet improvements. 

The building in the Boys' Department was changed into one large dorm- 
itory, new cement floors laid and a new system of heating and ventilating 
installed. The capacity of the school was increased to accommodate 400 boys. 

The addition of the cells to the Main Institution also enabled the doing 
away with the placing of more than one prisoner in a cell, a desirable physical 
and moral consideration. 

Stone Quarry and Crusher 

In 1901 the managing body of the Institution reached the conclusion 
that the subsoil in this locality was underlaid with a strata of limestone. 
An imaginary line drawn from the several large quarries and limestone kilns 
some distance northeast of this institution to the large quarries in the Haw- 
thorne region to the southwest, crossed at, or near, the site of the House of 
Correction. Borings were accordingly made in the pit from 
which the clay for the manufacture of brick had been taKen and 
which had reached a depth of 25 feet. At a depth of only 8 feet below the 
level where clay had been removed, or 33 feet from top soil, the strata of 
limestone was reached. 

Thus was an ideal prison industry discovered and steps were at once 
taken to remove top soil and clay from an adequate area and quarry stone. 
In the following year work had progressed sufficiently to warrant erection of 
a stone crusher with a capacity of 100 yards a day, with the necessary screens, 
bins, etc. Considerable stripping was done and in 1904 the available surface 



ARETROSPECT 19 

for quarry had already reached an area of 275 feet square and was rapidly in- 
creasing. The value of a city owned limestone quarry was apparent and an 
appropriation of |21,800.00 was granted that year by the City Council for a 
new stone crushing plant. Plans were prepared for a suitable building, con- 
tracts awarded and two No. 5 Gates crushers added to the small No. 2 crusher 
already in use. The capacity was then several hundred cubic yards of crushed 
stone per day. The quarry was further equipped with a steam drill and a brick 
blacksmith shop. An up-to-date house for storing dynamite was built of brick, 
with compartments and facilities for keeping the temperature at such a point 
as to prevent freezing, which is most essential in handling dynamite in cold 
weather. Considerable general repairs and improvements were made in 1910 
on the Crusher Building and machinery. New screens were installed, two 
new smokestacks erected over the boiler room, new corrugated iron roof placed 
on engine and boiler room, etc. 

Since then the old incline hoist was replaced by an adequate steel elevator, 
a No. 3 McCully crusher installed to replace the old No. 2 Gates crusher and 
sundry other repairs and improvements made so as to modernize the quarry 
and crusher plant. 

It is hoped that the contemplated further enlargement will soon become a 
reality, as the present capacity of the plant is far from supplying the require- 
ments of the Bureau of Streets. 

Women's Dormitory 

The most important improvement for many years was the erection of 
the "New Women's Building," begun July 5th, 1905, and completed, barring 
some details in equipment, on October 17th, 1906, when the female inmates 
v/ere transferred from the old quarters to the new. 

Thus was finally secured the separate adequate home for female offend- 
ers so long desired. 

Delivery of structural and architectural steel and iron by the Champion 
Iron Co., of Kenton, Ohio, the lowest responsible bidder, on their contract 
of 122,565.00, and of the steel, metal and other material for skylight and 
slate roofing by Knisely Bros., on their contract of $4,938.00, was delayed, or 
the structure would have been completed several months earlier. Contracts 
for furnishing of the material for the numerous component structural require- 
ments for this large modern structure were properly executed. Most of the 
labor and much of the building material was, as usual in the construction of 
the institution's buildings, furnished by the House of Correction. 

The building was remodeled to some extent in 1908, so as to conform 
with the new main entrance on the east front, the original entrance having 
been on the northern front. A conservative estimate places its value at 
$125,000. 

In its present shape it is a handsome structure externally and in its 
internal arrangement the most advanced and humane ideas in regard to the 



20 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 



comfort, health and safety of the inmates are carried out. The cell house 
in the central main structure, 203x51 feet, the rotunda being in the center, is 
three stories high and contains 198 cells. The east wing, 131x40 feet, is two 
stories, in which are located the Receiving Room, Offices, Baths, Clothes 
Bunker, etc., on the first floor, and the Hospital and Chapel on the second 
floor. 

In the west wing, which is 161x40 feet, the Laundry occupies the entire 
ground floor and the Dining Room and Sewing Room the floor above. 

The building was planned and fortunately is so located as to entirely 
separate ihe women occupants from the main institution, although the build- 
ing line conforms with the front of the other imposing structures of which it 
forms a continuation or component part. The gap between it and the south- 
ern end of the South Cell House is filled with an appropriate wall, with a 
large gate known as "South Gate" the main gateway to the inner enclosure. 

A spacious area has been reserved as garden and recreation for use of 
female inmates. 

In the days of old the women were engaged in various pursuits, prin- 
cipally in caning chair seats. In recent years they do the laundry work for 
the Police Department and various institutions under jurisdiction of the Health 
Department, for instance, the Contagious Disease Hospital, the Iroquois 
Memorial Hospital, Bathhouses, etc. Laundry work is also done occasion- 
ally for other City Departments. 

Care of Juvenile Female Offenders 

Having no facilities for the detention and care of the increasing number 
of juvenile female offenders, the Board of Inspectors in the year 1903, in 
accordance with the provisions of the State law on the subject, designated 
two institutions as Houses of Shelter of the House of Correction, viz: the 
House of Good Shepherd, at Hill and Orleans Streets, and the Erring Women's 
Refuge for Reform, at 5024 Indiana Avenue, the latter institution now called 
The Chicago Home for Girls. 

These two institutions, by reason of long experience and proper facili- 
ties, were in every way competent to properly care for this class of offenders 
and their work is well and favorably known to a large part of the community. 
It had been the custom for years to commit girls to both these institutions 
under a mittimus of the House of Correction, and when habeas corpus pro- 
ceedings had been started, the girls were invariably released, as neither of 
these institutions had been authorized to detain persons. This action of the 
Board legalized commitments, placed the institutions under the jurisdiction of 
this Board of Inspectors and enabled transfers for the greater reformation 
and care of persons committed. 

Brick Wall 

A notable improvement was the erection in 1903 and 1904 of the great 
brick enclosing wall around the west half of the institution, all but the south- 



ARETROSPECT 21 



em front, which was protected by the river, the original similar wall, built in 
1874, having enclosed only the eastern half. 

The new 18 foot wall, 20 inches thick, continuing from the west end of 
the old wall, on 26th Street, from Francisco Avenue to Sacramento Avenue and 
then south for a distance equivalent to several blocks on Sacramento Avenue, 
was laid on a 4>^ foot deep concrete foundation, the space between pilasters 
is 19 feet, and the concrete coping, made at the institution, surmounts the 
top of the wall, which is finished off with four guard's towers and two gate- 
ways, all being of the most substantial build and pleasing architecture. 

The erection of this wall had become imperative in order to protect the 
institution farm, the quarry, crusher buildings, brick machine building, brick 
yard, garbage crematory and other buildings, all of which were outside of the 
old enclosure, and also to enable closer and easier supervision of the inmates 
at work in this section. 

in order to present a solid front along the 26th Street side, it was nec- 
essary to remove the railroad track and to bring the switch in from the west, 
necessitating 400 feet of additional track and a half mile of switches to the 
new stone crushing plant. 

In 1907 an 18 foot brick wall was built from the east line of the Woman's 
Building to the Dog Pound, a distance of 1,120 feet, which forms the south 
wall and makes a complete enclosure of the institution grounds. It is paral- 
lel with and 25 feet from the dock line of the river. Owing to the fact that 
several hundred feet of this wall was built over ground that had been cov- 
ered with garbage, it was necessary to make a foundation of concrete 20 feet 
deep in places. Two hundred feet of the wall is supported by arches built in 
the foundation, extending from pilaster to pilaster, the lowest point of which 
is not less than 20 feet. The dimensions of the pilasters are 4 feet by 9 feet 
at the base, and taper to 24 inches at the top of foundation, and are 20 feet 
apart The wall is finished off with four guard towers, and two arches are 
built in the wall for gateways, in case at any time it becomes expedient to 
enter the institution from docks that may be built. 

Barn and Garage 

During the fall of 1907 work was commenced on a new brick barn and 
before the end of the year it was enclosed. The City Architect 
submitted the plans, but the work was done entirely by the inmates 
of the Institution. All the material except the lumber and structural iron was 
taken from the products of the Institution. The building is 241 feet long. 
The portion used as a stable is 34 by 95 feet, two stories high, and contains 
40 single and 6 box stalls. The upper story is properly fitted up for storing 
grain and a hayloft. The wagon shed is one story high, 48 by 96 feet. In 
this section there is installed a hot water heater, and at the east end of the 
room there is partitioned off a harness room, an office and a lavatory. There 



22 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

is also a wash room with all conveniences for washing vehicles. Concrete 
floors are laid throughout the entire first floor. The building is located in 
the southeast corner of what is called the brick yard, and is parallel length- 
wise with the new south wall. It was necessary to do considerable filling in 
order to bring the ground up to grade, to build a macadam road from Tower 
No. 2 to the main entrance of the wagon shed and along the north side of 
the stable to the west end. A system of drainage was laid out, which 
drains that portion of the yard where the barn is located, and brick yard as 
well. The building of this barn was a much needed improvement, and 
especially creditable, for the reason that all the work was done by the 
inmates. No mechanics were employed to superintend the work. The 
guards detailed to look after the men acted in the capacity of mechanical 
superintendents as well. 

The old brick barn building, a relic of years gone by, was remodeled for 
use as a storeroom and cement shop. 

As the teams and carts of the old days are being replaced by modern 
motortrucks, the barn is slowly but surely changing into a garage. At the 
time of writing this rambling resume, there are only six institution horses 
left, but the stalls are available for horses from the Police and Fire Depart- 
ments sent to the House of Correction for disposal. 

The Institution now has one Federal truck of lYz tons, one Master truck 
of 2 tons, one Master truck of 5 tons, one Kissell truck of 5 tons, two 
Packard trucks of 3 tons each, and three trucks assembled from the discarded 
material in the Junk yard. The trucks are used for delivery of brick, stone 
and other products, also to transport material to and from the House of Cor- 
rection Farm Colony, to carry inmates detailed for street cleaning, snow shovel- 
ing, collecting junk material from City Departments, etc., etc. 

Erection of West Cell House 

During the year 1908 there was an appropriation of $40,000 made for 
constiuction of a new cell house on the most modern lines. On October 12, 
1908, the work on the new cell house was commenced. There w^as only 
about $7,500 of this appropriation used during that year, and upon the recom 
mendation of the Finance Committee, the balance of this |40,000 was trans- 
ferred to the 1909 account, and an additional appropriation of $20,000 was 
made to complete the new building. At the close of the year 1909, however, 
it was very evident that these two amounts would not be quite sufficient to 
accomplish the purpose, and an additional appropriation of $10,000 was asked 
for the year 1910, making a total of $70,000 in all, to complete a building, the 
most conservative estimate of the value of which would not be less than 
$225,000. 

All the brick work and concrete work was done without the employment 
of other than prison labor, a reminder of the value of the products of the 
Institution and how Institutional labor can be utilized in the construction of 
new buildings. 



A RETROSPECT 23 



The City Architect was asked for a preliminary estimate 
of the value of this building, including the tunnel connecting it with the 
engine room. While he had not at the first of the year submitted actual 
figures estimating the valuation, he did not hesitate to fix it approximately at 
$250,000. Based upon estimates made by others it could not be less than 
$225,000. 

Using the above as a basis, attention is called to the earnings of 
the histitution in the construction of this building. Up to December 31st, 
1908, there was expended for the purchase of material $7,501.06; during the 
year 1909, in payment on contracts and purchase of material, there was used 
12^,707.66, leaving a balance on contracts and for purchase of material to be 
paid during the year 1910, of $32,791.28. Taking the total of these 
three amounts from the estimated valuation leaves a balance of $155,000 to 
be allowed for the products of the Institution and Institutional labor. Eighty 
per cent of the work on the building was done prior to the 1st of January, 
1910; that would allow us as earnings up to that time $124,000. Fifteen 
per cent of this, or $18,600 should be credited to the earnings of 1908. This 
will leave $105,400 representing the earnings during the year 1909, and a 
balance of $31,000 for the work accomplished during the year 1910. 

Contracts were let for furnishing material, etc., as follows: Furnishing 
and erecting structural iron and steel, $24,997.00; sheetmetai work, $1,947.00; 
for the composition roofing, $633.00; for automatic electrical compression water 
system, $1,084.00; for plumbing material, $7,400.00; for plumbing fixtures, 
$8,684.00; metal lathing and steel studding, $2,167.24; cement (under quarterly 
•contracts), $6,423.44. 

The balance of the money appropriated for new construction was used in 
the purchase of lumber, hardware, paints and oils, lime and stucco, sand, sewer 
pipe, radiators, pipe covering, terra cotta, glass, cornice material and an 
allowance to the City Architect in preparing plans and specifications and 
furnishing Superintendent of Construction when needed. 

The West Cell House is 50 feet wide by 250 feet long, containing a main 
floor and three galleries. There are 334 cells in all, each cell is 7x9 feet, has 
a window 2x4 feet and is equipped with a water closet and a lavatory. 
Every cell receives the sunlight sometime during the day. 

The floor space in the center of this building is 27 feet wide and 226 feet 
long, which is utilized as a dining room for the inmates who occupy cells 
in the building. This space is well lighted and ventilated from the skylight. 
Feeding prisoners outside of cells is conceded by everyone to be of the 
greatest importance. 

California Avenue Macadamized 

Owing to the fact that the West Chicago Park Board had completed 
Marshall boulevard, which parallels California avenue in front of the Institu- 
tion, it was deemed necessary to macadamize the avenue in order to make a 



24 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

fit comparison with the boulevard and add to the general appearance of the 
well kept lawn and parks of the institution. As the City Street Department 
was not prepared to make the improvement at once, it was decided to have 
the inmates do the work, and furnish the material out of the products of the 
Institution as far as possible, and pay for the balance out of the regular 
appropriations for the year. So on the 5th day of July, 1907, the work was 
commenced, and before the first of November the 1,400 feet of roadway 
between Twenty-sixth street and the river was complete, and a concrete 
safety wall built across the street at the river bank. The Board of Local 
Improvements kindly furnished a plan embracing a main sewer from Twenty- 
sixth street to the river, with cross drains, catch basins and manholes, 
which, when carried out, made a splendid system of drainage. The curb 
and gutters were laid in accordance with city specifications and compare with 
those laid with the asphalt pavement north of Twenty-sixth street. The 
ditch on the east side of the street was filled to grade and leveled off with 
black dirt taken from the Institution yard. The crushed stone used for 
filling in the roadway was the product of the House of Correction quarry, 
and made the finish of an improvement which is a credit to the city, especially 
because of the fact that it was accomplished at so small a cost and that the 
work was done entirely by inmates of the Institution, and not an escape 
made during the progress of the work. 

Ornamental Front Fence 

The dilapidated condition of the old wire and wooden post fence sur- 
rounding the front lawn made it necessary to replace it with a new one in 
1911. The improvements made by the West Park Commission on the boule- 
vard in front of the House of Correction property and the splendid condition 
of the House of Correction grounds made it a matter of importance to erect an 
appropriate appearing as well as a substantial iron and concrete fence. It was 
also necessary to consider the expense, as it would require a stretch of 1,800 
feet of fence to enclose the grounds. Inasmuch as the products of the Institu- 
tion could be used to a greater extent in concrete construction than in any 
other, it was decided to adopt a plan calling for that style of construction. 

It was also necessary to replace the old brick sidewalk along the entire 
front of the Institution with a new one, so the plan provided for a walk to 
be laid at the same time the fence was built. Work was commenced on same 
during July, 1911, and by the time frost interfered, more than half the fence 
including both gateways and a gate lodge and walk, were completed. All the 
labor was performed by the inmates. Contract was awarded to F. P. Smith 
Wire & Iron Works to furnish iron for the pickets and construction of the two 
large gates, which were made entirely of iron. The cost of the above was 
$1,691.00. A concrete foundation was laid below the frost line, alongside 
which were placed conduits for electric light wires as well as the telephone 
wires, at that time strung on poles from 26th Street to the main office building. 



A RETROSPECT 25 



The plan also called for electric lights along 26th Street and California Avenue 
every seventy feet. Permission was given by the Board of Lincoln Park 
Commissioners to use the design adopted by them for the electric light posts, 
which calls for a twenty inch globe at the top. The Superintendent of Lin- 
coln Park was kind enough to lend the forms built by them and used in their 
manufacture, which is of concrete. The two extra large posts at each gate- 
way are equipped with four lights each. This system of lighting, together 
with the fence, adds greatly to the appearance of the grounds. 



Engine and Boiler Room 

Buildings 



Of the original Engine and Boiler Room erected in 1871, and which was 
added as a component part to the great Soutli Cell House later on, together 
with other adjoining buildings, only the large brick smoke stack remains in- 
tact as originally built. It is situated a few feet from the Cell House wall 
and is being used as an exhaust ventilator for the nearby Hospital and North 
Cell House. It performs this purpose perfectly. 

The main part of the present Engine and Boiler Room dates from 1887, 
when many of the larger institution buildings were erected. 

In 1909 there was built an addition to the main engine room 25 feet wide 
and 50 feet long with a shelter shed at the west entrance 9 feet by 12 feet 
the floor space in this addition to be used as a tin and machine shop. There 
was also built a wall 14 feet high to strengthen the old partition wall between 
the engine room and the coal shed. The old wall had cracked and had been 
forced in about 12 inches by the weight of coal piled against it. 

Equipment 

In 1906 there was added to the central power house equipment one new 
tubular boiler 66 inches in diameter and 16 feet long, also one McMillan fur- 
nace and one Ball engine of the newest design. Also a new iron water tank 
42 inches in diameter and 12 feet long to take the place of the old one which 
had been in use so many years and was completely worn out. Although in 
the year 1907, the boilers in the main engine room were overhauled, practically 
all the tubes and mud drums being taken out and replaced by new ones, this 
promised only temporary relief and efforts to obtain an appropriation for new 
boilers were begun. The old tubes when taken out were used in building a 
fence around the west and north bank of the stone quarry, making about 600 
feet of a good, substantial safeguard. 

At the beginning of the year 1909 an appropriation was made by the City 
Council of $10,000.00 for the purpose of installing two new boilers to take the 



26 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

place of some of the old ones that had been in use in the Institution for more than 
20 years prior to that date. Contract was let to Gallaher & Speck on the 21st 
day of August, 1909, to install two 250 H. P. Keeler Water Tube Boilers, to 
be equipped with the Greene Chain Grate Stokers, for $9,298.00; the Insti- 
tution doing all of the brick and foundation work required, under the super- 
vision of a superintendent furnished by the Keeler Boiler Company. Four of 
the old boilers were taken out and the new ones installed in their place. One 
new engine and dynamo were also installed in the same year. 

Two new batteries of water-tube boilers rated at 250 H. P. each, were 
installed in 1910 to replace the other old boilers that were condemned more 
than a year prior to that time. This gave the Institution a power plant that 
will supply its wants for many years for lighting, heating and power. 

The Crusher and Brick Machine are run by a 150 Horse Power Corliss 
Engine and two 100 H. P. Boilers, this department having its own Engine and 
Boiler Room, built in 1905. 

Chief Engineer 

Mention should be made of the fact that Mr. Robert Calladine, Chief 
Engineer, resigned his position in November, 1918, after 44 years of faithful 
and meritorious services, although still in perfect physical and mental vigor 
and requested by the Board to remain at his post. Mr. Calladine had decid- 
ed to retire to private life and devote his full time to his hobby of gardening, 
raising poultry, etc. at his suburban estate in Austin. 

Other Improvements 

In the evolution of so extensive an Institution as the Chicago House of 
Correction, from the comparatively primitive original buildings to the present 
magnificent structures, a great number of smaller constructive improvements 
were necessary, too numerous to describe in detail. Simply this mention shall 
therefore be made of the grading, filling and leveling of grounds, the building 
of roads and sidewalks, the extension of the water mains, sewer system, con- 
duits and tunnels for steam pipes, telephone and electric wiring, switch tracks 
and scales, erection of Ice Houses, Greenhouses, Bakery building and Addi- 
tion, Printing Shop and Annex, Pottery Shop, Work Shops, Cement Retain- 
ing Walls in Stone Quarry, Brick Sheds, Coal Bins, etc. etc. 

The front view of the Institution as seen from the broad expanse of 
Marshall Boulevard and California Avenue, practically parallel boulevards, 
showing the great ornamental iron and concrete fence, the spacious lawn and 
parks, small lakes, brook, artistic bridges, and the great buildings of castel- 
lated gothic architecture, overgrown with ivy, is imposing. It is one of the 
sights of Chicago. 



ARETROSPECT 27 

A Few Statistics and Items of General Historical Interest 



Area of House of Correction Grounds, _ . . 50 acres 

Area of the Farm Colony at Willow Springs, - 371.8 acres 



Number of inmates received from 1872 to 1921, inclusive, 441,782 

Number of noon rations served from 1872 to 1921, inclusive, 18,998,647 



Largest number of inmates May 15th, 1915, to wit: 

Men, 2,580 ) 

Women, 172 > 2.8 13 
Boys, 61 ) 



Capacity of Cell Houses in 1921: (Allowing cell to each inmate) 
North Cell House, 434 ^ 
South Cell House, 640 f -i ocio 
West Cell House, 334 f ^'"^" 
Women's Dormitory, 198 ' 

Capacity of Hospital, beds, 60. 



Average period of detention (in 1921): 
54 days. 

This figure could be accepted as the average for a number of years past. 

The original water supply of the Institution was furnished by an 
artesian well. In 1878 water mains connecting with the 8-inch wooden 
water main in Twenty-sixth Street were laid. Since then the water and 
sewer systems were rapidly and continuously improved and extended, 
being now adequate for all purposes, and valued in the last inventory at 
150,000.00. 



Small Pox Hospital 

In 1873 the City Council set apart five acres of the land of the Institution 
for hospital purposes for small pox patients. At that time this part of the 
city, as has been mentioned elsewhere in this report, was merely unoccupied 
prairie, which fact, and the infrequency of the disease then occurring in the 
city, prevented serious objection being urged to such use of the land. A few 



28 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

years later, however, a great change had taken place and the avenues leading, 
from the center of the city to the hospital began to be crowded with factories 
lumber yards, stores and residences, and thousands of citizens were brought 
into contact with vehicles containing patients en route for the hospital. 
Besides, the hospital had in it at times more than a hundred patients, and 
the great danger of contagion caused the City Physician, others of the 
medical profession and the Board of Inspectors to strongly urge the removal 
of the "pest house," as it was called, to some other site, as early as 1881. 
It was years later, however, when serious harm had actually resulted and 
the menace had become so great as to force action, before the removal 
was fmaliy made possible by the erection of the Isolation Hospital at Lawn- 
dale Avenue and Thirty-first Street in the year 1896. 

The aid of the City Fire Department was thereupon invoked to burn the 
old pest house to the ground. 

In 1898 it was decided to utilize the foundation of the old hospital and to 
have a house built thereon where the gardener of the Institution could live 
and properly superintend the working of the farm, while acting at the same 
time as watchman to prevent the systematic robbing of farm products by 
midnight marauders. 

The house was built with Institution material at a comparatively slight 
cost, and was used by the gardener of the Institution for about seven years 
The building of the great outer wall around the west half of the grounds 
then rendered its further use unnecessary and the old pest house and gar- 
dener's house are now only memories. 

Garbage Crematory 

In 1900 a crematory was built to consume all garbage and refuse of the 
Institution and to effect a sanitary disposition of the same. This garbage 
incinerator, built according to the plans of a well known engineer, Mr. Wal- 
ter Wright, proved a great success and was found to be more than ample for 
the needs of the House of Correction. Arrangements were accordingly made 
with the City Street Cleaning Department and the waste products of ad- 
joining wards were satisfactorily disposed of. 

The large Municipal Reduction Plant was erected on the Institution 
grounds about eight years ago to dispose of the City's garbage, and con- 
siderable fruits and vegetables discarded on the South Water street market. 
The plant was recently closed, as all garbage at present is sent to main re- 
duction plant at 39th and Iron streets. 

Dog Pound 

Objection having been made to the location of the old City Dog Pound, 
the Board of Inspectors on May 1st, 1903, granted permission for the erec- 
tion of a new one on the extreme southwest corner of the Institution's 
grounds. A model Dog Pound, largely built with Institution labor and ma- 



I 




I 



» 



A RETROSPECT 29 

terial, was completed in six weeks and turned over to the Police Depart- 
ment, which is charged with its administration. It is said by those familiar 
with similar institutions throughout the country to have no superior of its 
kind, and for such materials and labor as were furnished by the House of 
Correction, cost only $2,500.00. The Dog Pound is also, if occasion requires, 
used for impounding lost and trespassing cattle, sheep and horses. 

Discontinuation of Lockstep, Etc. 

Believing it unnecessary to continue the old-time lockstep, which had 
been in vogue for many years, it being deemed of too harsh a penal charac- 
ter and of degrading and humiliating effect, the Board of Inspectors abol- 
ished its use in July, 1901, and in lieu thereof substituted a more or less 
military step, three paces apart. This has since worked very well, and the 
greater freedom permitted by it and the encouragement to self-respect is ap- 
preciated by the inmates and has obviated many petty annoyances and diffi- 
culties that formerly existed among the men. Besides the lockstep all the 
old-time severe punishments and forms of discipline which tend to prompt 
a feeling of degradation on the part of the inmates, such as dark cells, 
striped uniforms, ball and chain, shackles, etc., had been abolished before 
the year 1902. 

Original Industries 

The original industries of the Institution and the only ones for quite a 
number of years were brick making, stocking making and cane seating. The 
labor of the inmates was also furnished to contractors in many lines of en 
deavor, such as making Door Mats and Rugs, Wicker Chairs, Baskets* 
Bottle and Jug Covering, Brooms, Brushes, etc., when the opportunity for 
so doing presented itself. Pedling out the services of the inmates at 25c to 
35c a day and obliging them to complete a daily task as marked out by a con- 
tractor, v^^as, of course, an unsatisfactory system, but conditions at that 
period necessitated same. Employment had to be lound for the inmates and 
a revenue to the Institution was desirable in order to reduce operating ex- 
penses. In the selection of prison industries the sensitiveness of labor 
organizations was always kept in view by the Board of Inspectors, and 
earnest endeavors made not to compete with outside labor to any appreciable 
degree. 

Recent legislation abolishing prison labor under outside contracts has re- 
sulted in clearing the situation. The last two shops that remained of the old 
contract system were abolished in 1914. The House of Correction at present 
is carrying on its numerous industries for the benefit of the City, County 
and State, as intended by the law, selling only a very small portion of its 
product to outsiders in lines where outside labor cannot supply the demand, 
and where tolerated by the labor element. 



30 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

Omnibus 

The transportation of offenders to the House of Correction for forty 
years from its inception, that is from 1871 until 1911, was by omnibus drawn 
by a four-horse team. 

This vehicle, popularly known as the "Black Maria," made daily 
gathering trips to the Harrison Street, the Desplaines Street and the 
Maxwell Street Police Stations, the other Stations sending their quota of 
offenders to these three gathering stations. When too late for the bus, 
and in emergency cases, offenders were taken by patrol wagon directly to 
the House of Correction. 

In the year 1911 it became necessary to replace the old bus— which, 
since replacing a former smaller bus, had rendered service for many years — 
with a new one. Instead of a new team-drawn vehicle, which would have 
cost about $2,500.00, it was decided to purchase an up-to-date auto bus for 
$4,800.00, from the Western Motor Car Co., the covered body being an 
additional expenditure, it being figured that the difference in cost of main- 
tenance in favor of the latter, justified the additional expenditure, while 
the convenience and rapidity of movement would be greatly enhanced. 

In August, 1918, another change was made. Supt. Joseph Siman sug- 
gested that the cost of transportation of offenders and maintenance of the 
bus should rightfully be borne by the Courts, instead of the House of Correc- 
tion. This was adjudged proper by all officials interested, and by mutual 
agreement bailiffs from the Municipal Court took temporary charge of the 
House of Correction bus pending purchase of a new Court bus. A large 
new auto bus, called the Municipal Bus, under jurisdiction of the Chief 
Bailiff of the Municipal Court now brings the principal daily quota of offend- 
ers to the Institution every afternoon. Others are also brought at different 
times of the day by patrol wagon, or ambulance. 

Definition of "Capital Account" Industries 

In 1914 the City Council granted an appropriation of $10,000.00 known 
as "House of Correction Capital Account" for the operation of certain indus- 
tries here, it being the intention that the profits arising from the operation of 
such industries after covering the cost of maintenance, were to be set aside 
for a fund to support deserving families of the inmates. This was following 
out the recommedation of the Board of Inspectorsand the Committee on 
Finance. An elaborate system to carry out the idea was evolved, but before 
the plan could be put into effect, the Corporation Counsel, on investigation 
of the matter, rendered an opinion that the plan was unlawful on the ground 
that the Council has no authority to appropriate funds for any other than 
corporate purposes. 

The profits are now drawn against, under authority of the City Council 
to cover expenditures as far as practicable, including salaries of quite a 
number of the guards, thus relieving to that extent appropriations from the 
Corporate Fund for the maintenance of the Institution. 



A R E T R O S P E C T 31 

Value of Real Estate, Buildings and Sundry Property, 1921 

Administration Building $ 35,000 00 

Octagon Building (Kitchen, Chapel, etc. ) 36,000 00 

Octagon Building Annex (Shop purposes. Deputy's Office) 37,500 00 

North Cell House 120,000 00 

South Cell House 140,000 00 

West Cell House 225,000 00 

Woman's Building 125,000 00 

Storeroom and Carpenter Shop Building 5,000 00 

Main Power House and Addition, including Boilers, Engines, 

and Permanent Improvements 118,000 00 

"L" Factory Building 30,000 00 

Bakery Building and Plant 7,000 00 

Printing Shop 4,000 00 

Ice Houses and Cooling Rooms 10,000 00 

Warehouses 2,500 00 

Stone Crusher Plant 25,000 00 

Brick Yards 15,000 00 

Quarry 25,000 00 

Barn 25,000 00 

Green Houses 4,000 00 

Parks, Fences and Permanent Garden Improvements 15,000 00 

Steam Heating System 40,000 00 

Electric Lighting System 20,000 00 

Water and Sewer System 50,000 00 

Railroad Sidings, Switches and Track Scales 10,000 00 

Enclosing Walls, Towers, Gates, etc 60,000 00 

$1,184,000 00 

Manual Training and Hospital (School) Buildings |15,000 00 

Hospital Dormitory Building 50,000 00 

Hospital Ward 25,000 00 

Gymnasium and Shop Buildings 20,000 00 

Total "Hospital" (Old John Worthy School 

Buildings) $110,000 00 

Real Estate Valuation, 60 Acres *|300,000 00 

Sundry Property (Corporate account) • 103,611 28 

" " (Capital account) 32,073 83 

Grand Total $1,729,685 11 

Value of Farm Colony (Real Estate, Buildings and Sundry 

Property) 120,733 95 

♦This valuation was placed on the property years ago. The present 
value is considerably greater. 



Objects Of the Institution 

AND SCOPE OF ITS ACTIVITIES 

COMING NOW to the intents and purposes of the act establishing the 
House of Correction, the aims of the Institution and the scope of its activi- 

. ties, nothing could more clearly cover these points than the excellent 

report of the Board of Inspectors submitted to Governor Len Small and the 
City Council for the year ending Dec. 31st, 1921. 

This terse and lucid report is therefore here reproduced in full, although 
some of the data have already been referred to elsewhere in this booklet: 

Office of the house of Correction, } 
Chicago, Feb. ist, 1922 ] 

To His Excellency, Len Small, Governor of Illinois, and to the 

Honorable Citi) Council of the Citp of Chicago. 
GENTLEMEN:— 

In compliance with the law, we have the honor to present herewith the 
Fiftieth Annual Report of the House of Correction for the period ending De- 
cember 31st, 1921, and attach hereto the reports of the Superintendent and 
Physician in charge of the Institution. These reports, with numerous sta- 
tistical and financial statements appended thereto, are self-explanatory and 
cover the Institution's activities in detail, as usual. 

Although the aims of this Institution and the scope of its activities are 
gradually becoming more familiar to our citizens, evidenced by the fact that 
many teachers and high school classes, clubs, civic organizations and other 
similar bodies are visiting us frequently, the general public knows but little 
about the "Bridewell" other than that it is the city prison or workhouse. It 
may not be amiss, therefore, through the annual report to give a little his- 
torical data and allude in a general way to the industries conducted and to 
the efforts of the administration in promoting the mental, moral and phy- 
sical welfare of the inmates. 

The Chicago House of Correction was established and is maintained by 
the City of Chicago in accordance with the provisions of an act of the State 
Legislature, approved and in force July 1st, 1871. The Institution, at the 
present time, covers sixty (60) acres of ground, not including the Farm Col- 
ony of three hundred seventy-one (371) acres. The total value of the real 
estate, buildings and equipment of the Main Institution was shown bv the 



OBJECTS OF THE INSTITUTION 33 

last inventory to be $1,735,576.26. The value of the Farm Colony is $125,- 
152.32. 

Persons are committed here for violation of the State Statutes in cases 
of misdemeanor, and for violation of the City Ordinances. In the latter case, 
the fine imposed is worked out at the rate of fifty cents (50) per day; how- 
ever, the maximum term of imprisonment for failure to pay fine is fixed at six 
months, and an allowance of three days per month is made for good conduct 
if the limit of imprisonment is served. A fine of $100.00 (and one occasionally 
imposed in certain cases of $200 00) is equivalent to six months less "good 
time," unless some "good time" is lost by violation of rules, each inlraction of 
the rules meaning a loss of three (3) days. Payments of balances of fine due 
at any time, after allowing fifty cents per day for time served, will secure 
release of inmate. For violation of the State Statutes, a fixed sentence is 
imposed by the Court, the maximum being one year. For violation of certain 
sections of the statutes an additional fine may be imposed which, if not paid, 
may be worked out at the rate of $1.50 per day, after the term of sentence 
imposed has been served The law providing for the allowance of three 
days per month for good conduct also covers these cases, if confinement is 
for six months or more. One or more additional sentences may be imposed 
if the offender is found guilty of several offenses, which sentences may run 
"consecutively," or "concurrently" at discretion of the court. 

Under State authority, the Board of Inspectors also enters into contract, 
or agreement, with the Government of the United States for the "boarding" 
of violators of U. S. statutes. The length of sentence, or amount of fine, and 
the "good time" allowance in these cases vary considerably. Arrangements 
are made with other town authorities within Cook County, for the boarding 
of offenders. In the latter case, the term of confinement, allowance for time 
served and good time allowance, are similar to those imposed or granted by 
the City Code. 

All inmates who are not incapacitated from work by sickness, disability 
or old age, are furnished with healthful employment, the principal indus- 
tries being those that furnish products needed and to be used by the City. 
For instance, the City uses a great amount of crushed stone in the repair 
and building of streets. This is quarried, crushed and loaded in the cars on 
our grounds by inmates at a great saving to the City. They are also 
engaged in the manufacture of sewer brick used by the City, the clay used 
in this industry being excavated within the walls of the Institution. 

We also conduct a printing shop where much of the City's printing is 
done. 

The laundry work for the Police and Health Departments is done here at 
a great advantage to those departments. 

We manufacture house brooms for all City departments, street brooms 
for the Street Department and other brooms and brushes. 



34 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

Our Pottery Department (flower pots, etc.) is developing into a profit- 
able industry. 

The Junk Yard, operated by us for the City, is at all times a hive of 
industry. Here the old and discarded equipment of the various City Depart- 
ments is sorted, repaired and rehabilitated as far as possible and then dis- 
posed of to the best advantage. This industry furnishes work for numerous 
inmates and undoubtedly adds largely to the earnings of the respective City 
Departments who supply us with their junk, as the amount allowed them for 
paper, rags, metal, furniture, heavy equipment, horses and hundreds of other 
items, enables them to realize far more than under the former method of dis- 
posing of it by them individually. 

During the past year our Brick Yard turned ont 2,300,000 brick and we 
produced and crushed 21,000 yards of limestone at our quarry. 

We manufacture all clothing, shoes, underwear, etc., that the inmates 
wear. 

We make all ration pans, pails, cups and tin ware, also galvanized iron 
ware used in the Institution. 

We make all permanent improvements to buildings and grounds as well 
as do the new construction work. 

Our bakery supplies bread for the Police Department and Health 
Department. 

In winter we cut our own ice from the large fresh water pond in our 
grounds, thus effecting a considerable saving for the City. The ice is pure 
and wholesome and its use is sanctioned by the Department of Health. 

Other industries and pursuits supply abundant work for all. 

During the year ending December 31st, 1921, there were 8,566 commit- 
ments to the Institution— (8,092 men and 474 women), as against 4,681 in 1920 
and 5,723 in 1919. The great increase is due, principally, to unsettled condi- 
tions and lack of employment In times of plenty and with jobs for every- 
body, the population of this, as of other similar institutions, decreases appre- 
ciably. The daily average number of inmates for 1921 was 1,302, as against 
748 in 1920 and 1,047 in 1919. 

The general state of health of the inmates has been excellent. Too 
much stress cannot be laid in commenting on the excellent work done by the 
medical department of this Institution and the gratifying results accomplished 

We have a hospital adequately equipped with the necessary facilities, as 
well as resident and attending physicians and several trained nurses. In addition 
to this, we have a staff of consulting physicians and surgeons, specialists, also 
a dentist, who visit the Institution at regular intervals. No better attention 
is given patients in any hospital than the inmates of this Institution receive. 
Major operations, which for a time have been suspended, are about to be 
resumed and the City Emergency Hospital, for the use of the Police Depart- 
ment, will be reopened as an adjunct to our own hospital. 

When the daily quota of inmates is received, and after they have 



OBJECTS OF THE INSTITUTION 35 

answered the regular statistical questions and deposited for safe keeping 
sucli valuables as they may have, they undergo a thorough physical exam- 
ination, are given a bath and then vaccinated. Clean underwear and Insti- 
tution clothing is furnished them and they are assigned to such work as 
seems best suited to their abilities and inclination. The clothing they came 
in with is thoroughly fumigated and stored in the clothes room. When 
released, their clothing is cleaned and pressed, if needed, and any essential 
piece of wearing apparel they may lack is furnished by the Institution. 
Clothing that is too badly torn or soiled is burned. Underwear, handker- 
chiefs, etc., furnished by family, or friends of inmates, are accepted if more 
than one set is given, so as to provide for the necessary change. The giving 
of soap, toothpaste, towels, etc., is encouraged. Inmates are admonished 
and required to observe cleanliness. The guards and officials closely watch 
their wards and if they detect any physical or mental ailment, report thereof 
is made and the inmate transferred, or if necessary, turned over to the Psy- 
chopathic Division of the Health Department. In fact, every possible 
endeavor is made to secure the general health of the inmates and place ihem 
in proper mental and physical condition so that they can start again under 
more encouraging auspices when they are released. 

It should be mentioned in this connection, that good, substantial food is 
given them while here. Proper reading matter is available from our large 
library of eight thousand volumes. Suitable indoor and outdoor entertain- 
ments are provided. When leaving the Institution, car fare is given those 
who have no funds and the addresses of agencies where they can secure 
work if they so desire. In short, every effort is made in the sense of true 
reform and to show that this Institution is not simply a punitive institution , 
but, as the name implies, a real "hou se of correction." Officials and 
employees take their task seriously and every effort is exerted to make the 
Institution a credit to the administration and the City of Chica go. 

We return our thanks to His Honor, the Mayor, and to the Honorable 
City Council for valuable advice and assistance in the discharge of our 
duties. Respectfully submitted, 

FREDERICK E. ERICKSON, 
G. W. Halleman, 
GEORGE T. MOXLEY, 
Board of Inspectors House of Correction. 



Executive Clemency 

The pardoning power in the case of federal prisoners is vested in the 
President, acting on advice of the U. S. Attorney General. 

In the case of violators of the Illinois Statutes, the Governor of the 
State exercises the pardoning power, by, and with advice of the Division of 



36 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

Pardons and Parole, a branch of the State Department of Public Welfare, 
which meets about once a month at designated points, principally at Spring- 
field, Chester and Joliet, 111. 

Executive clemency by the President, or the Governor, is comparatively 
seldom exercised. 

More frequent are the pardons granted by the Mayor of the city in case 
of violations of the City Ordinances. Such orders for release are not issued 
save in the interest of humanity, and generally upon the application of 
members of the families of those released. A report of the Police Depart- 
ment, or the Superintendent of the House of Correction, or both, being first 
consulted. No pardon is granted in aggravated cases, or for the more 
serious offenses. Seldom are inmates so released until they have served a 
considerable portion of their time and when it is deemed for ihe best interest 
of the offender or his family to grant a release before expiration of the 
sentence imposed by the committing magistrate. 

Of those released by Mayor's pardon many are invalids, or insane, who 
should not have been sent to the House of Correction in the first place, and 
who are transferred to hospitals or as> lums. This latter class of releases is 
termed "medical pardons," and they are issued only upon proper reports of 
the Medical Superintendent, so as to facilitate immediate action by the 
County Court, or other competent tribunal. 

The prerogative formerly exercised by the presiding judges of the Crim- 
inal Court, and Municipal Court, of changing, curtailing, or abrogating a term 
of imprisonment, within 30 days after commitment, has under a recent decision 
of the Supreme Court been declared illegal, and now a verdict must stand as 
rendered, subject only to legal writs or the pardoning power. The only 
exception to this ruling is in ''Court of Domestic Relations" cases, the judge 
being granted authority, upon request of the wife or family of an offender 
sentenced (generally for one year) for cruelty or non- support, to order a 
release on promise, further, of the said offender, to lead a proper life and 
support his family. 

House of Correction Farm Colony 

On April 6th, 1915, the City Council appropriated and the people 
approved a bond issue of $200,000.00 for a farm colony for men and $50,000.00 
for a Women's House of Shelter. The impossibility of obtaining a suitable 
farm within the City Limits necessitated an Act of the Legislature granting 
authority to locate same within the County of Cook, which was passed and 
approved by Governor Lowden in July 1917. After many conferences with 
Council committees. City officials and public spirited organizations, a site 
was determined on, and on October 2nd, 1918, the well-known 
"Mauland Farm" at Willow Springs, on the Joliet highway, was purchased 
from Alfred J. Mauland for the sum of $109,370.00. The area of the 



OBJECTS OF THE INSTITUTION 37 

property is 371.8 acres, and it is planned eventually to move several hundred 
inmates to the farm and teach them all ordinary gardening, dairying, farming, 
horticulture and to aid in producing food supplies for the Institution, as well 
as bettering their health and making desirable citizens of them in future. A 
similar plan is contemplated for the women's House of Shelter, coupled with 
class room mstruction and other industrial training and in both these 
prospective departments the Board has in mind, that for those who are 
worthy, it shall be less of an institutional and more of a community life, 
wherein the greatest measure of liberty, consistent with proper management, 
will be allowed. 

Lack of sufficient operating appropriations has hampered the work to 
some extent, and there are oaiy40 inmates at the farm at this time. Several 
commodious buildings sicuate on the ground will serve as temporary adminis- 
tration and dormitory structures. 

The products of the farm to date, although operations have been 
restricted, for the reason stated, have been considerable. Besides the large 
quantities of garden truck and other crops, eggs, miik, butter, hogs, poultry 
etc. furnished to the main Institution, the sale of surplus milk, hogs, hides, 
etc., has brought considerable revenue to the ciry, replacing to that extent 
appropriations granted for the operation of the Farm Colony. In 1921 ;en 
thoroughbred Hol-teincows were added to the farm herd, which now number 
52 head of Holstein cattle. 

Plans for the erection of the contemplated House of Shelter for females 
have not yet matured. 



Present Administration 

PROGRESS IN ALL LINES of human endeavor within recent years 
has been rapid and continuous. In the arts and sciences, in the 
= mechanical, constructive and electric fields, in farming, chemistry- 
sanitation, in fact in every pursuit and industry tending toward higher 
achievement, civilization and the comfort and the uplifting of mankind, the 
advance has been great. Important discoveries and inventions follow each 
other in bewildering manner, notwithstanding the deterrent effects of wars 
and strii<es. 

The city of Chicago, under the progressive administration of Mayor 
William Hale Thompson and his well selected department heads, together 
with the great "I will" spirit of its merchants, bankers, industrial leaders and 
public minded citizens, has kept pace with the rapid progress elsewhere, and 
the expansion in every conceivable artery of civic growth has been 
unprecedented. 

In proportion has been the advance during the past few years in 
penology and in the system of administration of large reformatory institutions 
and the Chicago House of Correction is no exception to the rule. 

Superintendent Joseph Siman, active and energetic, of exceptional 
executive ability, is always on the alert to embrace modern reformatory 
methods and add ideas of improvement of his own. He has adopted the 
plan of placing absolute confidence in the efficiency and integrity of his 
assistants and he relies upon them implicitly. He argues that they are all 
cogwheels and parts of a well regulated machine; their success is his success, 
and vice versa, his success is their success. They are encouraged to sug- 
gest at any time changes or improvements, which might prove advantageous 
in their respective departments, and such suggestions are acted on immedi- 
ately. The supervisors, officials and other employees are imbued with this 
spirit of reform and greatly appreciate the confidence shown them by 
their superior officer. They take great pride in making occasional sug- 
gestions, the adoption of which proves advantageous. 

The Superintendent has inaugurated a system of periodical reports from 
the supervisors, beyond the simple submission of labor reports, to show the 
working of their departments, changes and improvements made, etc. This 
for statistical purposes and to furnish material for reports submitted to the 
Board of Inspectors and available in preparation of the annual reports of the 
Institution. 

From the recently submitted Supervisors' reports, which were amplified 
by request, on account of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Instttu- 



PRESENT ADMINISTRATION 39 

tion, a few are here appended, so as to give an idea of the activities of the 
House of Correction. These reports are ail addressed to the Superintendent. 

Report on Broom and Brush Factory 

In compliance with a request to furnish a statement as to the origin and 
workings of the department under my supervision, I beg to submit the fol- 
lowing report: Broom making was added to the industries of this Institu- 
tion in April, 1892, when a contract was entered into between the Board of 
Inspectors and the Chicago Broom Mfg. Co., who held the concession for 22 
years. They paid the Institution a stipulated price per dozen for the brooms 
shipped by them and not a per diem rate for the labor of the inmates. In- 
structors and foremen were furnished by the Company and the House of 
Correction furnished the guards and supervised the shipments of brooms. 

On May 1st, 1914, the plant was taken over by the House of Correction 
under the title of Municipal Broom and Brush Factorp. The broom con- 
tract and the brush contract (held for several years by the Monarch Brush 
Co.) were the last two contracts to be abolished by the Institution, although 
the Corporation Counsel had at one time rendered an opinion to the effect 
that the law abolishing prison contract labor did not affect the House of Cor- 
rection contracts. It was deemed best not to antagonize the labor element, 
and the requirements of the city were considered a sufficiently large market 
for our product. 

The sale of brooms and brushes is now for city account only. We man. 
ufacture house brooms, whisk brooms, scrub brushes, coir brushes, white - 
wash brushes, table and other brushes for this Institution; also street 
brooms for the Street Department and house brooms for all city depart- 
ments, employing about four thousand inmates each year. 

During the past year we have, with your approval, changed our method 
of making street brooms from "pitch set" to "staple set," and are now turn- 
ing out a line of street brooms that are equal to machine made brushes, both 
in quality of stock and workmanship. 

Broom making is a valuable Institution industry, not only from the reve- 
nue standpoint, but for the reason that so many inmates acquire a thorough 
knowledge of a clean, healthful and lucrative trade. A skilled workman in 
the broom and brush industries can always find a good job. 

Respectfully submitted, 

H. A. HARDER, 
Supervisor of Broom Making. 

Report on Pottery Shop 

I beg to submit a report on the department under my supervision. 

About five years ago a Pottery Department was added to the various in- 
dustries of the Institution under the title of "Municipal Pottery," where 
flower pots, azalea pots, bulb pans, saucers and hanging baskets are manu- 
factured by th« inmates of the Institution under my direction, assisted by a 



40 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

supervising guard. Two years later it became necessary, on account of tlie 
increasing demand for tliese goods, to move to larger quarters. Recently 
a large and substantial brick addition has been added to the new plant, where 
there are now upwards of 1,000,000 flower pots in all sizes manufactured 
annually. 

Some of the inmates hav^e become so proficient in speed that they can be 
classed with any workman on the outside. 

It is a healthy, pleasant and interesting occupation. 
The inmates like the work, proven by the fact that the supervisor is fre- 
quently approached by the inmates of other departments who wish to be 
transferred to the pottery, so as to learn an industry that might be of use to 
them in the future. 

The idea of manufacturing flower pots in this Institution was conceived 
many years ago, but became a reality only under the present administration. 
The product of this department is disposed of to Park Boards, Cemeteries and 
florists of Chicago principally, though a small percentage is either shipped to 
or called for by out of town florists. The first difficulty encountered has 
been the problem of obtaining clean clay; clay that contains no limestone. 
Again, acting under your approval, all clay for the pottery is now washed. 
This process is accomplished in the following manner: The clay is first 
pulverized, then mixed v/ith water, run through a mixer until it is about the 
consistency of cream, when it is run through a fine screen, taking out every 
particle of stone, roots and all other impurities. This process has a two- 
fold advantage: First, it enables the men to make better and smoother 
pots, and Second, thes<* pots can be stored indefinitely without loss. 
Respectfully submitted, 

AUG. F. KOHR, 

Supervisor of Pottery Shop. 



Report on Storeroom and Kitchen 

I beg to submit a report on the activities of the storeroom. 

As regards improvements pertaining to the storeroom during the last 
five years, will say that shortly after the incumbency of the present super- 
jntendent, he saw an opportunity of improving the system of supervising 
the checking in and weighing of all vegetables, fruits, meats, etc., by ar- 
ranging the section adjoining the "Main Kitchen", formerly used as bread 
room, also the part formerly used as inmates' library, into an ideal storeroom, 
which gave direct connection with the kitchen, and refrigerating plant, there- 
by giving the storekeeper sapervision of the receiving and distributing of all 
supplies and articles used in the sustenance of the Institution's inmates. 

The change was a wonderful improvement, both from a sanitary stand- 
point, and for the welfare of the institution in general. The change also made 



Px^ESENT ADMINISTRATI ON 41 

a suitable place for storing vegetables in the section formerly occupied as 
storeroom, as it was dark, damp, and naturally cool. 

The moving of the inmates' library was a great improvement, as it gave 
an opportunity to use the unoccupied section at west end of present tailor 
shop, for barber shop and library, and was a much better and more private 
location. Another wonderful change, not directly under my charge, but which 
I cannot help mentioning, was the installation of a dining room in what was 
formerly our main kitchen, enabling the men to eat in a more human manner 
than in the past, when they had to carry their rations to their cells and use 
their beds for a table. This change necessitated the removal of all steam 
kettles to an additional building erected for this purpose, just north of the 
present dining room. 

It also required the building of tables, benches, and supplying all equip- 
ment of bowls, plates, cups, knives, forks, etc., in place of the old style ration 
pans. In the past when cooking meals in the steam kettles, the steam which 
was caused from the cooking completely enveloped the whole kitchen, and 
on cold and inclement weather, the kitchenTesembled a huge fog, caused by 
the steam from the kettles. This was overcome by installing an exhaust 
fan, which carries all steam up thru flues, and out thru roof of kitchen, mak- 
ing an ideal, healthful cooking compartment. 

The cost of said improvements was very nominal, as the labor was done 
entirely by inmates, and most of the material was of the institution manu- 
facture. 

The diet of inmates improved also with the introduction of the dining 
room. Formerly meat and potatoes were supplied once a day, and served 
all together in one ration pan. Under the new system, potatoes and meat are 
separated, and a cup of tea, or coffee supplied in addition, and bread is sliced 
making it more palatable than the old system of serving in "duffer" style, or 
one half loaf in one piece. Formerly breakfast and supper consisted of black 
coffee and bread, continuously. Under the new system, oatmeal, cream of 
wheat, or rice, with coffee and bread, comprise the breakfast, and the sup- 
per consists of either soup, stew, frankfurt sausage, or bread pudding, with 
tea and bread. 

Many other improvements have been made, such as clothing kitchen 
waiters and cooks in white trousers, jackets and caps, giving them a much 
more impressive appearance than the regulation uniform does. 

Another economical improvement was the introduction of bread slicing, 
and vegetable cutting machines. The bread sheer cuts uniform slices, and 
overcomes the waste which was caused in the hand slicing process. The 
vegetable chopper chops vegetables into a pulverized mass, which flavors 
the soups and stews, and is also entirely consumed, overcoming the waste 
caused by cutting the vegetables too large, which happens when cutting by 
hand, and the result is that most of it is left on the plate and thrown out. 



42 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

There are numerous other improvements, such for instance, as using 
disinfectant throughout the institution which proved very beneficial. 

The statistical and clerical branch of the storeroom has gradually broad- 
ened out until it is now that of a large counting room. All daily requisitions 
from the various departments of the institution for supplies needed, are sent 
to the storeroom in writing, are here tabulated and entered into the Order 
Book, which is sent daily to the Main Office for approval by the Supt., and 
further action by the order clerk. After all goods received are carefully check- 
ed, weighed and inspected, to see whether they comply with order issued 
and terms of quarterly contract (when contracted for) , the bills, after having 
been audited in Main Office and compared with requisition issued, are enter- 
ed in storeroom. They are then returned to Main Office for voucher and 
payment. 

Full record is kept of all transactions of the various shops and Indus 
tries. All labor reports are tabulated. Products furnished to the various 
City Departments on City Business Agent's orders, are entered and billed 
to the respective Departments. Copy of bill is sent to Main Office, so that 
warrant for collection can be issued and sent to the City Comptroller. Sales 
of product by the institution direct, are entered and billed. The City Comp- 
troller receives a copy of every transaction of the institution affecting dis- 
bursement or revenue. 

Financial and statistical statements of the activities in the various 
industries are prepared for the Superintendent, or the Board of Inspectors, 
whenever required. 

The distribution of material and merchandise to the various departments 
of the institution, the products of the Farm Colony, and many other activities 
are recorded in detail. 

Hoping I have given you a fairly satisfactory report, in brief form, 1 
am, 

Very truly yours, 

P. M. FLANAGAN, 

Storekeeper. 



Report on Bakery 

1 beg to submit herewith a report on the present condition and activi- 
ties of the House of Correction Bakery, with a few introductory remarks on 
the value of bread as a food. 

Bread is called the "Staff of Life". Why? Because no food excels it 
in nutritive value, or is in such demand by young or old. Adults generally 
require, or at least demand, bread at least three times a day. Children 



PRESENT ADMINISTRATION 43 

want it oftener, eating it between meals and practically all the time, if it is 
good bread. The quantity eaten, of course, depends on the quality. If it is 
good substantial bread with real eating qualities, and a delicious flavor, twice 
or three times as much is eaten. 

Statistics show that the bread consumption of the United States, enor- 
mous as it is, is far below that of European countries. 

One of two conditions must be responsible for this comparatively low 
consumption of bread; either people can not get the kind of bread they want 
to eat or they do not appreciate the nourishment they receive from it, and 
their taste for bread has not been properly developed. Therefore it is up 
to the baker to use the proper ingredients to make people like bread. 

Bread is the mainstay of sustenance in a large institution like the 
House of Correction, more so even than it is in the home. The people at 
large have an idea that inferior material is used in a place of this kind. This 
idea is entirely erroneous. It may have been justified years ago, but to use 
the expressive slang of the day "them days is gone forever." We live in a 
progressive age. It pays to use material of the best and I can positively 
assert that everything that goes into our bread mixture is strictly first class 
and sanitary in every respect. 

I have been in the service of this institution since 1912, first as Super- 
visor of the Kitchen and the last five years or more, as Supervisor of the 
Bakery. My experience as Asst. Chef and Pastry Cook of the late Grand 
Pacific Hotel, noted for its menus, has proven a valuable asset to 
me, has assisted me in passing the civil service test for my position 
and in securing the confidence of my superior officer, so that any changes or 
improvements suggested by me are put to the test immediately. Only a 
short time ago I recommended the use of Diamalt, having satisfied myself as 
to its value and the effect it has on the bread both as to improving its flavor 
and its appearance. The very same day an order was issued for a barrel of 
Diamalt, and I have been using it ever since, and find it a great improvement 
over the old style mixture. This is only one instance, there are others 
too numerous to mention. 

At the present period we use about 300 barrels of flour per month, 600 
pounds of Diamalt, 300 pounds of yeast, 350 pounds of shortening, and 2 to 
3 barrels of salt. 

We bake all the way from 3,500 to 4,000 loaves per day, besides special 
bread for the various Police Stations and Detective Bureau. Also occasionally 
for the Iroquois Memorial Hospital and other branches of the Health 
Department. 

During the time the Municipal Lodging Houses were operating, we 
delivered from 5,000 to 6,000 loaves daily. 

Besides the special baking for the officers' tables, we furnish for the 
inmates on holidays— hot cross buns on Good Friday, raisin bread on Easter 
Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas. 



44 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

We have two rotary ovens, and I find them most practical for an institu- 
tion of this l<ind, where experienced bakers are not always available. These 
ovens have a capacity of 425 loaves each. 

Among the recent improvements in our plant, 1 might mention the 
replacing of the old time back breaking hand mixing, with an up-to-date 
electric mixing machine, which is a great item from a sanitary standpoint, as 
well as a time and labor saver. We can mix a dough, consisting of 1,000 
pounds in eight minutes, whereas the old way it used to take four men from 

45 to 60 minutes. Also replacing the old wooden troughs with two modern 12 
foot steel carriers with 2,000 pounds capacity each. 

In conclusion I wish to say that this department is always open for 
inspection to visitors, and I am only too glad to give any information regard- 
ing the workings of the same. 

Respectfully submitted, 

ROBERT BAZNER, 

Supervisor of Bakery. 



Report on Psychopathic Department 

To the Superintendent : 

It is with pleasure that the following report of the vocational class 
of the Psychopathic Department is respectfully submitted. 

This department was established in September, 1915; its plan and object 
was, and is now, to keep separate from the adult prisoners, all minors, 
especially first offenders, to place them in an atmosphere of home surround- 
ings and instill into them a respect for law and order and the rights of others 
and encourage them in their efforts to do right, so that they may become 
useful and better citizens. 

The functions of this department having to do with the special care and 
treatment of these youthful offenders are varied, and call for most careful 
and conscientious effort that the boys may be placed and cared for so that 
the best results may be obtained for their individual benefit. 

Our aim is to arrange for the performance of that kind of work only, in 
which the individual worker is personally interested and which is of obvious 
practical utility. 

What can be done with this class has been fairly demonstrated in our 
work shop and class room. 

The number of boys received up to and including June 30, 1922, was 
1,098, a daily average of 18 boys. The number of boys in class at the close 
of fiscal year (June 30th) was 40. 

The number of recidivists (repeaters) for the same period was 92, a 
remarkably small number, which is proof that the system of separating 



f 




^¥. i 




PRESENT ADMINISTRATION 45 

minors from adult inmates is beneficial and necessary. Of these recidivists 
one boy returned three times, another twice and four returned once. 

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 134 boys passed through this 
department. The disposition of these bjys and their endeavor to live up to 
the morale of the Institution are encouraging. 

Table 1. 

The following table shows the number of boys received and discharged 
during the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1922: 

Number of boys in department July, 1921 26 

Received during the year 108 

Total 134 

Discharged during the year 94 

In the department June 30, 1922 40 

Table 2. 

Shows offences for which committed. 

OFFENCE NUMBER 

Assault with deadly weapon :....:. 2 

Attempted burglary 2 

Auto parts (steahng) 1 

Assault man in park 1 

Auto theft 8 

Burglary 38 

Bicycle theft 2 

Breaking windows 1 

Criminal negligence 2 

Dope 1 

Delinquency 2 

Disordely house (guest caught in) 1 

Disorderly conduct 10 

Gun carrying 11 

Forgery 1 

Larceny 8 

Pick-pocket 3 

Parole 2 

Robbery 19 

Rape 

Receiving stolen property 

Snatching pocketbooks 

Hold-up 

Suspicion 

Stealing golf balls in park 

Shop lifting 

Trespassing 

Inoxication 

In 1917 these boys refinished 6,317 pupils, school desks, which were used 
by the Board of Education to equip three new schools. This work was of 
great benefit in teaching the boys a valuable occupation, but owing to the 
stock of old desks being exhausted and no other work of similar nature in 
view, we were unfortunately compelled to discontinue this class of work. 



46 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 



Table 3. 

The following table shows name of schools to which desks were sent, 
number of rooms furnished, number of desks shipped and their sizes. 



SCHOOL 

Choplin 


NO. OF DESKS 

... 210 

... 84 


SIZE 
... 1 .. 
... 2 .. 

... 3 .. 
... 4 .. 
... 5 .. 

... 1 .. 

... 2 . . 
. . . 3 .. 
... 4 .. 
... 5 .. 

.. . 3 . . 


NO. OF ROOMS 

5 

2 




... 252 

... 252 

. . . 252 


6 

6 

6 


Hibbard 


... 42 

84 


1 

2 


a 


. . . 420 


10 


a 

Bell 


... 252 

. .. 210 

210 


6 

5 

5 


To warehouse 
Grand total . . 


. .. 378 

... 210 

. . . 3461 

. . . 6317 


.. . 4 . 

... 5 ... 


9 

5 



In 1918 the following work was done on old Police Motorcycles: 
Frames straightened, cleaned and polished, forks straightened, oil 
tanks soldered, oil lines cleaned and tightened, valves ground, carbon 
removed, over-size rings fitted, throttle rods straightened and adjusted, 
oversize pistons lapped in, magnetos cleaned and gears replaced 
and timed, brakes repaired, cleaned and adjusted, bearings replaced, cones 
ground, carburetors cleaned and adjusted, new floats made, clutches re-set 
and cleaned, wheels trued, spokes replaced, foot rests straightened and 
repaired, chains repaired and cleaned, crank hangers straightened, and 
frames lined up. 

Engines were completely taken apart, overhauled, re-assembled and put 
in first-class condition. 

This work was very interesting to the boys, and the majority of them 
took to it rapidly. Two boys considered almost hopeless were placed at 
this kind of work and did so well that on leaving here they secured positions 
with a large motorcycle concern; one worked eight months and the other is 
still there, earning a fairly good salary. This demonstrates what can be done 
with some of these unfortunate boys when they are placed at work inter- 
esting to them. Most of them, owing to the lack of mental ability or other 
causes, are slow in learning and cannot hold a job long enough to acquire 
sufficient knowledge of the work to make good. In an Institution of this 
kind where he finds plenty of time to learn there is an opportunity to teach 
him enough so that when he leaves he will be better prepared vocationally 
to earn his living. 



PRESENT ADMINISTRATION 47 



In 1919 the following work was done by the boys of the vocational class 
on baskets: 



vinMTH LARGE MEAT 


POOL 


POOL 


MONIH BASKETS 


BASKETS 


BOTTOMS 


September. . 441 


... 120 


211 


October.... 263 


... 383 


110 


November . . 151 


... 360 


189 


December . . 157 


... 124 


160 


Total . . 1,012 


. ... 987 .... 


670 



In the summer of 1920, at the request of Superintendent Joseph Siman, 
the boys transformed the old John Worthy farm into a ball park. This 
required considerable work on their part but they enjoyed the outdoors and 
took to the work with a spirit that soon changed the rough weed-covered 
field into a good baseball diamond. The following year we constructed a 
large back-stop of cement, iron pipe, and wire mesh. 

Outside of the regular vaudeville entertainment and band concerts, this 
ball park has brought more pleasure and enjoyment to the inmates of this 
Institution than any other single piece of work. The friendly rivalry which 
exists between the different shop teams, the interest taken in the games 
and the enthusiasm with which they are played are all signs of appreciation 

The aforementioned work has all been carried on in connection with our 
daily class room work; here the boys make floor, table, and boudoir lamps of 
reed, raffia, and rattan, raffia work baskets, fruit baskets, card trays, hang- 
ing jardinieres, picture frames, photo frames, napkin rings, sandwich 
trays, hand bags, whisk broom holders, cuff boxes and collar boxes, crochet 
baskets, waste baskets, cup and saucers, miniature hats and umbrellas, 
lamp shades, drop light shades, bird cages, and various other useful articles. 

The electrical work on lamps, the cabinet work on bird cages, the wood 
turning on lamp shades, and fibre dyeing are all done by the boys. 

Most of our boys are good natured and mean well, but lack stability 
of character, they have very little or no idea of social obligations or the rights 
of others, each individual is a problem peculiar unto himself and different 
from every other individual. One of the greatest problems confronting us 
today in this work is to connect these unfortunate individuals with some 
kind of work so interesting to them that they will follow it up when returned 
to the community. 

In carrying on the work of this department during the past five years 
your ever ready counsel, kind advice and willing assistance have been given, 
for which the personnel of this department is very grateful. 

Respectfully submitted, 

FREDERICK R. TAFEL, 

Officer in Charge. 



48 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

Report of Old Material Department. ("Junk Yard") 

In reply to your request for report as to operation and improvements in 
Old Material Department, 1 hereby submit as follows: 

The Old Material Department receives old and condemned material from 
all Departments of the City of Chicago, which is assorted, or broken, then 
sold. Nothing is broken which would be of value to another Department in 
its entirety, however. 

A record is kept of all materials received and sold, a duplicate copy of 
record is sent to Storeroom, for their files. 

Methods used for breaking, or cutting iron are: 

1. A large shears, which is driven by a 5 H. P. Motor; cuts iron up to 2 
inches in diameter. 

2. Acetylene torch, which burns iron of any thickness. 

3. Steel drop ball, which weighs 1 Yz tons, is hoisted 15 feet in the air 
and dropped on cast iron which is thus easily broken. 

4. Sledge hammers, which are mostly used for light cast iron. 

Cast Iron is received in all forms, such as machinery, cast wheels from 
machinery, cast iron boxes, cast iron pipes, sewer covers, water plugs or 
hydrants, and large cast iron "Y's" used for water mains. This is all 
broken up either by sledge hammers, or steel drop ball, to regular sizes, 
suitable for foundries to melt. Whatever brass, copper, lead, or other metals, 
are found in the cast, such as in hydrants, or machinery, is assorted, cleaned 
from iron, and put into commercial shape, ready to be sold. 

Machinery cast, stoves, and stove or boiler grates, are all sold separ- 
ately from other cast. When stoves are received, if of no use, they are broken 
by sledge hammers. If in good condition, they are sold and used in other 
departments. 

All iron received must be assorted into malleable iron, wrought iron, and 
galvanized iron; these are all kept separate, and cut into regular sizes. 

Iron or steel pipes are cut into pieces lYz to 3 inches long and sold for No. 1 
busheling. 

Light sheet iron is cut into pieces 3 inches square and sold for No. 2 bushel- 
ing. 

Heavy iron is cut into pieces 1 foot square, and iron rods are cut 1 foot 
in length, both are sold for "steel." 

Steel shafting is cleaned from pulleys or cogwheels, which are mostly of 
cast iron, some wood. 

After steel shafting is cleaned, it is sold separately from other iron. 

Iron received in car loads is cut, broken and assorted by Old Material 
Department. All materials sold are loaded either in trucks, or R. R. cars, by 
inmates assigned to this department. 

Heavy machinery, weighing 10 tons or more, is usually sold on site where 
ever located. A record is kept of such transactions. Machinery weighing less 



PRESENT ADMINISTRATION 49 

than 10 tons is hauled to Old Material Department by our trucks, then broken 
and assorted, if of no bulk value. 

If steel, such as channel iron, heavy or light beams, or boilers which are 
riveted, come in, and are of no value, it is necessary to cut the rivets, so that 
piece can be easily handled by shears. Cutting of rivets is done by hand, 
with sledge hammers and chisels, if steel is too heavy and shears won't cut 
it, it is then cut by acetylene torch. 

All metals, such as aluminum, brass, babbitt, bronze, lead, zinc, copper 
and pewter, are cleaned, assorted, and put in shape so as to be sold for clean 
metals. 

Lead cable is stripped with a hammer and chisel, and melted into pigs. 
Inside of the lead cable is found copper wire which is insulated. This insu- 
laton is either of rubber with tape and rope, some of petroleum and cloth, 
occasionally of waxed paper. The finer copper wire insulation such as 
found in Telephone switchboard cable, is of paper, with lead outside. All 
insulated copper wire found in lead cables, such as mentioned, is cleaned by 
hand. 

All old waste paper from City Hall, is bagged at City Hall, and hauled 
to Old Material Department by our trucks, The paper is put in our paper room, 
where separate bins are kept, each for one grade of paper. 

Eight men are employed picking paper. Each man, taking one bag at a 
time, puts contents on a table and picks the different grades of paper as fol- 
ows: Newspaper, ledger paper, manila, books, old blue prints, shavings and 
Kraft paper. 

After bins are full of the above mentioned paper, each kind is baled sep- 
arately and is in shape to be sold as clean paper, ready for the Mill. After 
picking and baling, remnants are found of all sorts of the above mentioned 
paper varieties, which might be in small torn pieces and hard to pick; this is 
gathered up and baled separately and is called Mixed Paper. 

Rags are received from the Municipal Reduction Plant in carload lots and 
unloaded by us. These rags are spread on the ground, and dried by the sun- 
It is necessary to take all old cans and rubbish out before balmg. After the 
rags are dried, they are baled and put into separate warehouses, built espec- 
ially for the purpose of keeping them from rain or snow. The rags are kept 
in warehouses until sold, then they are loaded into box cars or trucks, by Old 
Material Department. The bales average 175 lbs each. 

Horses are received from the Chicago Fire Department. When horses 
are received, each bears a tag which gives the number, name and age of horse 
when bought, and the date it was bought, from which must be figured the 
present age of horse when receiv^ed. When horse is received it is given a 
number, which we call "Our" number. A tag is made out giving date, name 
and where horse was received from. Horses are then taken to barn, where 
they are sold. When a horse is sold, the barn sends a bill to the Storeroom, 
and they in turn send duplicate copy to Old Material Department with date 



50 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

of sale, number of horse, price paid, etc., this making a complete record of 
horses received and sold. 

Old horse harness is received from the Chicago Fire Department, and other 
Departments. This harness is sold, making necessary repairs, if needed. 

Old vehicles are received from various departments. Fire engines, hose 
carts, supply wagons and chemical tanks, are received from the Chicago Fire 
Department. Motor driven patrol and ambulance wagons are received from 
the Chicago Police Department. These are all properly recorded and sold. 
Old fire engines, if of no value, are stripped of all metals, fittings and iron. 
The iron is cut up, assorted and sold. The running gears (wheels and axles) 
are sold, if possible. Hose carts and supply wagons are sold as received, if no 
repairs are needed. Chemical wagons are received with and without chemical 
tanks and if tanks are of no value they are broken, and the metal taken off. 
The running gears are sold if possible. Old patrols and ambulance wagons 
are received with motor, stripped, and if motor can be fixed up, it is done. If 
not, the good parts are saved. If any of the above mentioned are beyond re- 
pair, and cannot be sold, they are broken up, and the wood is sent to Carpenter 
Shop, if of any value, if not, it is sent to Pottery Shop for kindling wood. 

Electric light bulbs which are received from the City Hall, or Electrical 
Department of the City of Chicago, are sold. Those which are broken are 
cleaned from glass, saving the brass butts, and copper found inside of bulbs. 
Broken glass is sold, if possible. This dissembling is all done by hand. 

Old auto tires which are received from different Departmentsof the City 
of Chicago, are kept in the warehouse and sold when occasion presents itself. 

Old oil or grease barrels, which are received by us from Municipal Shops 
or other Departments, are sold, and a complete record of same kept, as usual. 

Old wheels which are received from different departments, are sold, or 
broken up if no value. Large wheels are broken up and the spokes of same 
are sent to Carpenter Shop, where police clubs are turned and made of same 
then sold to Police Department for very little, which means a profit to Police 
Department. 

All condemned fire hose is received from Chicago Fire Department. This 
is measured, tied in rolls and sold if possible. 

Respectfully submitted, 

ERWIN C. HUEBNER, 

Supervisor of Junk Yard. 



Report on Grounds and Greenhouses 

In submitting herewith a report in my capacity as Supervisor of Grounds, 
and Head Gardener of this institution, I desire first of all to call attention to the 
vast change that has taken place in the appearance of the grounds, both out- 
side of and within the walls. It is difficult to believe description of the condi- 
tion of the outer area and inside yards as they appeared some years ago. I 



PRESENT ADMINISTRATION 51 

regret that I have no photographs to submit to your inspection to show how 
desolate and barren things looked at that time, compared to the beautiful vistas 
and landscape effects of today. 

When I first came here in the year of 1900 1 found only 3 six foot flower beds 
of 600 plants capacity, and 3 acres of land in the outer park area. Inside of the 
walls there was no lawn whatever. At the present time we have 47 flower 
beds, some as large as 30 feet in diameter, worked out in various designs, 46 
ornamental cement flower vases and 10 acres of lawn. Most of the plants used, 
such as Althernantheras, Lobelias, Geraniums, Cannas, Salvias, Petunias, 
various border plants, vines, etc., are all greenhouse raised within our own 
grounds. There are over 15,000 plants used for the House of Correction grounds 
alone. Well placed shrubs, bushes, hedges and trees, of course, add to the 
general effect. 

The appearance of the landscape of the institution is really worthy of the 
term picturesque. The Commission for beautifying Chicago should give us 
credit for being one of the first who assisted in carrying out its plans. 

Nothing is more conducive to the health of the people than vegetation 
and water. This applies in a measure to the surroundings of large institutions 
also. 

Years ago the cinder covered yards inside of the walls radiated the sun's 
glare in more heat, and on windy days our eyes were inflamed from the flying 
cinders. This made our surroundings very dreary and disagreeable. 

In place of the cinders we now have well kept lawns, flower beds and 
borders, greatly adding to the comfort and happiness of the inmates. 

I believe that this is one of the main reasons for the healthy condition of 
the inmates during recent years. 

Having alluded in the foregoing lines to the appearance of the grounds, 
permit me now to speak of the practical value of the landscape improvements. 

During my time the new section of the front park on 26th St. and California 
Ave. was partially filled in and partially excavated, to form a beautiful pond 
11 feet deep on the average, about 300 by 500 feet in area, fed by pure running 
city water. Besides being pleasing to the eye, this miniature lake furnishes the 
institution's ice supply. 

Our two large greenhouses are also beneficial in sundry ways. During 
the winter we store all the large ornamental plants, shrubs, rubber trees, etc 
taken in the fall from the City Hall window boxes, various City Hospitals, 
Pumping Stations, and our own grounds; a considerable saving to the City's 
exchequer, as our charge for the storing and care of same is moderate. 

The teaching of gardening and floriculture might be termed a necessity in 
our institution. We employ daily about 70 or more crippled and aged men who 
cannot perform any harder tasks. By working in the park, or greenhouses, 
they are making themselves not only useful, but also comparatively happy and 
content. They are being taught a valuable and wonderfully interesting occu- 
pation. Their attention is called to the fact that they are being put into posi- 



52 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

tion to earn a living in their old age, in taking care of flower beds, lawns, 
hedges, etc. in private homes, or as assistants in greenhouses, parks, or 
cemeteries. 

1 never tire of instructing them, as they respond so readily, although far 
more teaching is required in this profession than the uninitiated would imagine. 
Only an experienced gardener should instruct novices, as improper advice or 
service may ruin a year's work in a very short space of time. 

The proper planting of seed, watering growing plants, pruning bushes and 
small trees, trimming hedges, loosening and fertilizing the soil, also adjusting 
and repairing lawn mowers and garden implements, are instructive and pleas- 
ing occupations. I have noticed how anxiously the inmates watch for results 
of their cultivating and planting seeds for cut flowers, or flower beds, and 
forcing same, to see what colors and forms appear; how they look for new 
buds and new growth the next day or two after loosening the soil and copi- 
ously sprinkling; the pride they take in pruning hedges in perfect lines. 

I am sure that of the large army of men working under my supervision 
during the last 22 years totalling over 10,000 men, but very few would regret 
in the least having been engaged in this line of work. 

We are also endeavoring to cover the expenses incurred for seeds, garden 
implements and other material needed for our department, by disposing of our 
surplus stock, which nets us quite a revenue and together with our income 
from service rendered to various City Departments, as mentioned before, 
makes us nearly self sustaining. 

In closing my report, I would respectfully suggest that gardening and 
beautifying the city by landscaping, especially with aid of House of Correc- 
tion inmates, be extended by the Administration, which has already earned 
thanks for providing work for many unfortunates, in connection with the 
decorating of the City Hall, Municipal Pier, Pumping Stations, Hospitals, etc.; 
thus improving their mmds, character and morality for the future. There is no 
man too high or too low for our trade. 1 am a firm believer in the maxim that 
''he who makes two blades of grass grow where only one grew before is a 
public benefactor." 

"Say it with flowers." 

Respectfully, 

BERNARD PRASIL, 
Supervisor of Grounds. 



Report of Engineering Department 

1 herewith submit a report on the equipment, and the improvements 
made in the last five years, in the Engineering Department of the House 
of Correction: 

In a large plant like that at this Institution small repairs to the engines 
and machinery are continually necessary. At certain intervals a more 




NORTH CELL HOUSI 



ffl 




%: 




P,^^|| if 




SOUTH CELL HOUSE 



PRESENT ADMINISTRATION 53 

thorough overhauling is required. The judgment of the Chief Engineer is 
necessarily depended upon to determine when such repairs can no longer be 
postponed with safety. 

I was assigned to duty as Chief Engineer four years ago to succeed 
Mr. Robert Calladine, who had filled the position practically from the incep- 
tion of the Institution, and who had retired to private life. I found the plant 
entrusted to my supervision in good condition, and it has not been found 
necessary to make any change or additions beyond the usual repairs. The 
main equipment consists of four 250 H. P. Keeler Water Tube Boilers 
equipped with the Green Chain Grade Stokers, in the main boiler room 
also two feed pumps, two vacuum pumps and two house pumps. In the 
Main Engine Room, three generatoi*s of about 150 H. P. each; also well 
equipped machine shop, blacksmith shop and tin shop. In the auxiliary 
plant in the Crusher Building, built in 1905, there are two 100 H. P. boilers, 
and a 150 H. P. Corliss Engine to run the brick machine and crusher 
machinery. 

Quite a number of improvements and new installations have been made 
under my supervision during the last few years, with approval of Supt. 
Joseph Siman.We have changed the heating system in most of the buildings 
from a "high pressure" to a "low pressure" system, with a vacuum return, 
using for this purpose a few of the City's old fire pumps for vacuum pumps. 
Installed new heating systems in the Woman's Cell House and the South 
Cell House. 

Installed in the Main Kitchen Annex a canopy over the large steam 
kettles, with an exhaust fan, thereby removing the vapor from the kettles 
to the outside. We have enlarged and fully equipped our Machine Shop 
enabling us to do most of our own repairs and giving the men with mechani- 
cal trades a chance to continue in their regular line of work. A modern 
power pipe-cutting and threading machine has been added. 

In the Pottery Shop an electric motor was installed, displacing an old 
steam engine. 

In the Stone Quarry a new pump to take care of the seepage and surface 
water was installed, thereby doing away with several syphons that were 
unreliable. 

New electric lighting systems were installed in various buildings. 

The usual repairs and extensions of the water, sewer and steam heat, 
ing systems may be referred to and the repairs to corrugated iron roof gutters, 
rain spouts, etc., many of which were entirely replaced. 

The usual number of ration pans, pails, cups, tinware and galvanized 
ironware were produced and the many smaller repairs too numerous to 
mention were made. 

Respectfully submitted, 

GEORGE RATZ, 

Chief Engineer. 



54 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

Report of Medical Superintendent 

Mr. Joseph Siman, Superintendent, 
DEAR SIR: 

Prison population is made up of life's misfits, individuals who are unable 
or unwilling to adapt themselves to society's requirements. 

This is not a plea for better treatment for the professional criminal of the 
confirmed recidivist type; the man who has made a deliberate choice, who is 
an outcast at war with civilization and who is unwilling to adjust himself to 
organized society. The sooner he is put away forever, the better— but it is 
a plea for unfortunates who are ill in body or mind, who need a medical 
department that has the ability and equipment necessary to recognize and 
remedy their defects— for just in proportion that we can remedy or cure their 
ills the individual and society will be benefited. More than 80% of our 
population do laborious work and 40% of them are first offenders — many of 
these unfortunates are in prison for the sole reason that they are unable to 
meet life's conflicts. They are ill, discouraged, unsuccessful and have lost 
hope, homes and friends because they have become a liability in place of an 
asset on account of some disability or disease that can be remedied by proper 
surgical or medical care. 

The public, as a rule, does not realize the importance of an up-to-date 
medical department in its penal institutions. If the men and women that pass 
thru prison are returned to society with no effort made to remedy defects 
which prevent them from supporting themselves by honest labor, we are 
very short sighted to say the least Reconstructive and rehabilitation work 
has a big field in our prisons. A department that is competent to classify 
the different individuals, put the insane in asylums where they belong and 
remedy the physical defects of its population is a valuable asset to the 
community and we hope that you will be able to convince our Finance Com- 
mittee that it is money well spent in reorganizing our medical department 
to meet these standards. The House of Correction today is looked upon by 
the Police Department, the Judges, and part of the public, as a City emer- 
gency hospital and sanitarium for all the alcoholics, drug habitues, epileptics, 
chronic incurables, cripples, blind and helpless beggars, cranks, perverts, and 
general mental and moral defectives who require special medical and surgical 
attention. Fully 20% of the cases that we receive are sent here by the 
Judges for medical and surgical care. 

In many cases the judge marks "hospital treatment" and leaves it to us 
to try and find out why — when a few words of explanation would save time 
all around. Again, they t link that every chronic alcoholic, or drug addict 
should be kept in the hospital, when the best treatment is outdoor work and 
no booze or dope. 

Again, I fail to see the sense in sending a helpless incurable a hundred 
or more times to the House of Correction — from the standpoint of either his 



PRESENT ADMINISTRATION 55 

own good or the cost that the same entails. There are many hundreds of 
this class in the city. Thirty-three per cent of them we have always with 
us. They are only a nuisance and eyesore on the streets and it is time we 
adopted different tactics with them. 

ALCOHOLICS. — Formerly many persons supposedly alcoholic have died 
in police cells, and investigation showed that these unfortunates were not 
chronic alcoholic, or "moonshine" paralytics, but the victims of some disease 
which might have responded to proper treatment. A man may be found sit- 
ting on a curb, or lying in a gutter in a collapsed condition unable to talk intel- 
ligently, with or without an alcoholic odor on his breath. He may be on the 
verge of delirium tremens or his condition may be due to heart disease, to 
arsenic or lead poisoning, to kidney or gall stones, to intestinal colic or obstruc- 
tion. Many cases sent to us as alcoholic are skull fractures, or their delirium 
is that of pneumonia or typhoid, and many are cases of acute dementia, 
which should be sent to the psychopathic hospital instead of the Bridewell. 

If the case is an ordinary drunk, or moonshine victim, he is given treatment. 
If he is in need of other medical or surgical care he is given it, and we attempt 
to return him to society a more useful citizen. 

Alcohol is not a beverage, nor a food, nor a medicinal remedy. It is a 
toxic narcotic and the poisonous effects of alcoholic beverages increase in direct 
proportion to the percentage of alcohol which they contain. We have never 
seen a case of delirium tremens caused by a brewed or fermented liquor; it 
has always been from distilled liquors, principally whisky. Alcoholic insan- 
ities are rarely caused by fermented liquors. There are more quarrels in a 
gallon of whisky than in a barrel of beer. If you must use alcohol as a bev- 
erage — drink beer. 

DRUG Habitues. — Something radical should be done at once to stamp 
out of existence this increasing vice. Spasmodic attempts have been made by 
newspapers and certain charitable organizations in an attempt to check its 
growth. Chicago is the home of thousands of these poor miserable wretches, 
whose lives are but despairing struggles for the poison that lulls them to the 
false rest and solace of insanity. Year after year 1 have watched their con- 
stantly increasing numbers until 1 have begun to wonder whether the American 
of the future is to be a drug nurtured, dope fed being. Years ago this habit 
was seldom met with outside the dive or gilded brothel, but today, in hun- 
dreds of homes of all classes, the recruiting of victims of this drug curse goes 
steadily on. 

As to the permanent cure of these unfortunates, they must be divided 
into two classes. One class has contracted the habit from patent medicines 
or through trying to obtain relief from pain. They are men of normal mental 
equilibrium, who have friends to extend a helping hand to them when they 
leave this institution. These we can and do cure. Our treatment does not 
cause nausea, or the agony of former "cures." It has stood the test of a number 
of years. 



56 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

March 13, 1915, we published to the medical profession in the Journal of 
the American Medical Association, our treatment of drug addictions as worked 
out in the House of Correction. The editors of the same Journal in discuss- 
ing the various known treatments of morphinism endorsed ours as simplest 
and best. 

The second class consists of degenerates of weak minds and morals, ac- 
quired or inherited, with vicious and depraved habits, who seek the lowest 
depths of depravity for entertainment and who rush back to their haunts and 
vices as soon as they are released. Trying to cure them is only a waste of 
time and money. Of the first class there is many a poor fellow who leaves 
this institution in perfect health and spirits with a firm resolve never to touch 
the drug again, but who has not a dollar nor a place to lay his head and who 
is unable to secure employment. In a few hours his stomach is empty, and the 
only friends to whom he can go are his old associates, the "dope fiends." 
They will soon have him at the old life again. This unfortunate only needs 
employment and a helping hand to tide him over until payday. I would sug- 
gest that some permanent organization take up this matter and prosecute 
these druggists. 

Let every habitue who comes into the Bridewell be registered, together 
with his account of where and how he got his "dope." We will assist you in 
this line. Give us suitable quarters to take care of him. Give the police 
orders to arrest every known habitue, so that we can give everyone of them 
a chance to be broken of the habit. 

Those who belong to the second class should be given the cure once and 
when they go out they should be given employment to enable them to keep 
away from the habit. They should also have the understanding that if they 
do not do so they will have a chance of being imprisoned for good and that 
society cannot tolerate them at large. 

DEFECTIVES. — The proper care of prisoners and the remedying of bodily 
defects through such treatment as modern surgery and medicine can give, 
will decrease the prisoner population. There is not a day that we do not re- 
ceive unfortunates who are compelled to beg or steal because of their inabi- 
lity to earn a living on account of some physical infirmity which is readily 
cured by proper surgical or medical treatment. To many an apparent un- 
fortunate it is a blessing in disguise to be sent to the House of Correction, 
as it gives him an opportunity of being cured of disabling ailments such as 
hernia, hemorrhoids, or similar ills by operation, the cost of which would be 
prohibitive otherwise. 

POLICE EMERGENCY HOSPITAL.— The City Council has appropriated 
sufficient funds to reestablish a Police Hospital under supervision of the 
House of Correction, which had been discontinued for sometime. Our facili- 
ties, however, are limited. We lack the necessary room and at present can- 
not take care of dope, alcoholic, or disease cases. 



PRESENT ADMINISTRATION 57 

All the police gun shot, stab wounds and accident cases however which 
are held for police investigation are sent to us. In former times these were 
taken to the county hospital and an officer was detailed to watch the cases. 
This cost the city the pay of three police officers every 24 hours, and as it is 
not necessary for the police to remain with our cases, it releases just that 
many officers for police duty. 

The Cook County and other hospitals refuse these cases and as it seems 
to be up to us to take care of them we should be given suitable quarters 
where they could be separated from our regular inmates so that they will 
not interfere with the rules, regulations and discipline necessary to the proper 
maintenance of an orderly prison. 

There is no logical reason why the vacant and idle John Worthy school 
buildings and grounds should not be turned over to the medical department 
of the House of Correction, or equipped as a separate institution, under 
jurisdiction of the Department of Police, so as to handle all Police emergency 
cases, as intended. 

EQUIPMENT AND SERVICE.— A complete new operating room, steriliza- 
tion room, laboratory and X Ray room, dark room for eye and ear work, a pus 
operating room, a surgical dressing room and a new large dispensary form a 
part of our equipment; efficient attendants, nurses and internes perform 
their work faithfully and we are able to meet all emergencies and give our 
inmates medical and surgical attention that compares favorably with that 
of any first-class hospital. 

Surgical, medical and special clinics are conducted regularly and the 
names on our consultant staff speak for themselves. 

The City owes these gentlemen a grateful acknowledgement for their 

service, often rendered at a personal sacrifice. To my mind, medical and 

surgical assistance that transforms an invalid, unable to work, into a well 

man, capable of doing a hard day's work, is the very highest type of human- 

itarianism. 

Respectfully, 

CHARLES E. SCELETH, 

Medical Superintendent. 

Printing Department 

During the year 1901 a printing department was added to the many 
branches of manual training then in operation at the John Worthy School. A 
small equipment, including one 10x15 Gordon press, was purchased and four 
boys were assigned to the morning class and four to the afternoon class in the 
printing department, 

Principal object of this department was to give the boys a practical 
knowledge in the rudiments of the printing trade that would be a help to 
them in obtaining a position at which they could earn an honest living on 
their release and by so doing, enable them to resist the temptations which 



58 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

had been the cause of their imprisonment, and be a help to them from falling 
again. 

Losing no time the boys got busy delving into the mysteries of Gutten- 
berg and Franklin and in a few days office forms of various sizes and descrip- 
tions were appearing in the institution with the imprint of the John Worthy 
School. 

In order to keep the boys busy, arrangements were made with the City 
Purchasing Agent to provide us with sufficient jobs of printing. 

In the year 1902 the printing department was moved to larger quarters 
in the southeast corner of the second floor of the school building. An additional 
Gordon press was purchased, more boys were assigned to the department, 
and as they progressed in their work, larger and more difficult jobs were 
turned out, including the Annual Reports for the institution. 

During the year 1906 the Municipal Court was established, and as a 
large number of court forms would be necessary, arrangements were made 
with the City Comptroller and the City Purchasing Agent, that they be 
printed at our printing department. 

To do this work it required larger quarters and more equipment. A new 
home for the printing department, 40x60 feet was erected in the north yard 
of the main institution, and on December 6, 1906, we moved into our new 
quarters. 

A few years later a 40x40 foot addition was added to the building, 
making the size of our present quarters 40x100 feet. 

Additional machinery was purchased, so at this writing we have three 
10x15 Gordon presses, one 33x36 Miehle cylinder press, one 34-in. paper cut- 
ter, one 32-in. ruling machine, one 28-in. multiple punching machine, one Yz- 
in. stitcher, and one 28-in. perforator. 

There are on an average 25 young men employed in this department, of 
which about 10% are practical printers, and the balance are mostly young men 
ranging from 17 to 30 years of age, who have had no previous experience in 
printing. 

The hardships encountered in producing printing for City Hall depart- 
ments with this sort of help can only be realized by a practical printer. While 
most of them are willing to learn, it takes considerable time to be able to 
produce the many complicated forms required and the constant change of 
help, coming and leaving the institution keep a large number of apprentices 
on hand, or as one printer visiting the institution remarked: "We have one 
apprentice in our shop who is called a devil; you having mostly devils, I 
should judge it would give you a fair idea of hell." Nevertheless, we over- 
come the hardships and produce work that equals the best. 

There is no question that the knowledge boys acquire in this department 
is helpful to them. It enables them to get employment at a fairly remunera- 
tive salarv, is clean and educating as well. Very seldom a young man is re- 
committed to the institution and if so, it is for a trivial offense. Of the few 



___^ PRESENT ADMINISTRATION 59 

cases returned it showed that they have continued at the printing trade and 
were holding responsible positions, and in some cases where the man had a 
fine, a letter to his employer telling of his predicament brought back a check 
to pay his fine with. 

On July 4, 1915, the first number of "The Corrector" a monthly news- 
paper was issued. It has since been printed on the first Friday of each 
month and has proven a great benefit to the management as well as to the 
inmates. It gives them all an opportunity to express their views on various 
topics and to reach one another thru the paper that would otherwise be difficult. 

The following is an excerpt from The Corrector of August, 1922, written 
by an inmate praising some improvements instituted; also criticising the old 
system and suggesting additional improvement for the betterment of the in- 
mates: 

Our Prison Improvements 

In looking over the July number of THE CORRECTOR, I notice that that 
issue was the first number of the eighth year of its birth, it being born on 
the 4th day of July, 1915. The improvement of this paper since its first ap- 
pearance is evidence of the interest taken in its publication by the contribu- 
tors to its columns as well as that of several inmates who have from time 
to time assisted in its publication. Not alone in the advancement and ap- 
pearance of this sheet was the writer impressed, but also with the general 
Improvement of conditions during the past eight years. 

Besides buildings and grounds being in good condition, many things were 
done which improved the housing, feeding, health and the general welfare of 
the inmates. One feature, in particular, is to be commented on to no small 
degree, and that is the abolition of the pre-historic, time-worn method of 
feeding the prisoners in their cells from an old tin pan and a pewter spoon. 
The prisoners are now fed at tables and benches, marching in single file to 
their separate dining places. 

Next in importance was the quality of food. We have no Blackstone fare 
out here, but, what a difference to what it was then and what it is now. 
When I look back I often wonder how a man could retain his health and per- 
form some of the heavier work required of him in some of the departments, 
such as quarry, brickyard, etc. 

This change done away with feeding a few favorites, known as politi- 
cians, and gave everybody same food, same time and place in the dining room. 

In order to bring about this improvement, considerable work and expense 
was required. A new kitchen was erected and all of the steam kettles and 
other kitchen utensils had to be taken down and connected up in the new 
building. Partitions in the old building had to be torn down and window 
openings made in the walls. Now we have a good kitchen, well ventilated, 
and a huge electric fan carrying off the steam, and a dining room seating 700 
people. 



60 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

Through the thoughtfulness and consideration for the health and com- 
fort of the inmates our superintendent has introduced that popular pastime, 
baseball, which is played between teams composed of the younger men of 
the various departments, such as printers, bakers, shoemakers, brickmakers, 
and such other of the various trades to be found in an institution of this 
character. This has had a very good effect on the men and is warmly ap- 
preciated. A little outdoor recreation in available weather does much to 
make them forget their troubles and put new life in them. 

There are two regular teams, one of which plays an outside team every 
Saturday. During the week shops who have a team of their own, can apply 
for an open date for the ball grounds and fight it out on the diamond with 
their opponents in the presence of a smaller group of spectators. 

Entertainments are given in the West Cell House, the finest of its kind 
in the country, at frequent intervals, and your correspondent could add, with 
plenty of backing, that a movie show occasionally thrown in by some good 
Samaritan would just about add to the completeness of the enjoyment that 
could naturally be expected in a prison institute. 

Credit for these improvements is due to the present superintendent, 
Joseph Siman. He is always on the lookout for things that would improve 
conditions in the institution. He believes there is time for work and time for 
play. He is always willing to listen to your request, and to give you help 
or advice. He expects the inmates to observe the rules and to conduct them- 
selves gentlemanly. And he is also willing to give the inmates a square 
deal. -A. B. 

Newspapers in penitentiaries are very common, as men confined therein 
have long sentences, whereas, here their sentences are very brief, and it is 
not only difficult to have a large enough force to do the job work and the 
newspaper, but to acquire men capable of writing for same. As far as we can 
learn, we are the only workhouse that has a newspaper published at regular 
periods. 

We do all the printing necessary for the institution, of which this report 
is a sample, and considerable work for the various City departments. 

In the last five years the output of the printing department has increased 
33%. To give an idea of the work done during the year 1921 1 herewith pre- 
sent a few figures: Number of impressions on the presses for the year, 
6,574,748, making an average of 21,627 per work day, and employing 23.4 
men per day. The net income to the institution over cost of operation of the 
department for the year 1921 was $21,192.42. 

Much credit for the success of this department is due to the present 
management, the City Supply and other City departments for their co-opera- 
tion with this institution and particularly with this department. 
Respectfully submitted, 

JOHN J. PETRIK. 

Supervisor of Printing. 




I 



PRESENT ADMINISTRATION 61 

Report on Brick Yard and Quarry 

In the southwestern section of the House of Correction grounds two 
industries are operated that are practically unknown to the general public. 
They are of great value both to the Institution and to the taxpayers of the 
City of Chicago. These industries are the Brick Machine and Yard and the 
Stone Quarry and Crusher. 

Their value to the Institution is due to the fact that they furnish a large 
percentage of our inmates with healthful outdoor employment and the tax- 
payer is benefited, due to the fact that the brick and stone manufactured in 
these industries are sold to the City of Chicago, saving the City thousands 
of dollars annually. 

The brick machine has a capacity of 40,000 brick per day; the clay for 
the feeding of this machine being stripped off the top of a section known as 
our stone quarry. It is loaded in cars, hoisted up an incline and then 
dumped by inmates into the brick machine. This machine molds the clay 
into brick form and cuts it off to the proper length. After cutting, it runs 
along on a belt and is loaded from this belt into barrows, by inmates who 
wheel it out to a section of our yard known as "runs". These runs have a 
capacity of 250,000 brick. Here the brick are stacked until dry. They are 
then wheeled into our new kiln shed which has just been completed by the 
inmates of the Institution under supervision of our Superintendent of Con- 
struction. This kiln shed is 60-ft. x 300-ft. in length and has a capacity of 
1,600,000 brick. It compares favorably with any kiln shed in Cook county. 
The brick are set in arch form in the kiln shed in kilns of varying sizes and 
are burnt by inmates under the supervision of our Supervisor of Brickyard, 
who has had years' of experience in the manufacture of brick. A large per- 
centage of this brick is used by the Sewer Department, the Water Pipe Ex- 
tension and the Construction Division, in new and repair work performed by 
these departments. 

The Stone Quarry, under the supervision of the Supervisor of Quarry, 
has reached a depth of 100 feet, from which tens of thousands of yards of 
stone have been quarried. The stone is blasted and broken up into small 
sizes; it is then loaded on cars that hold about 1>^ yards, pushed onto an ele- 
vator and hoisted up to the stone crusher proper. The cars are removed from 
the elevator and dumped by the inmates into large crushers; these crushers 
crush the stone into various sizes, which slide down chutes to a conveyor- 
belt which elevates the stone to screens. These screens separate the stone 
according to size and it then runs from tne screens into chutes and into the 
proper bins. These bins have a capacity of 2,100 cubic yards. 

A large percentage of the stone crushed is used by the City Asphalt 
Plant and the different City Wards for street work and by the Construction 
Division in building and repair work. It is claimed that the stone manufac- 
tured at the House of Correction is harder and more durable than any other 



62 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

stone quarried in the vicinity. Our yard track system is so situated as to 
enable us to load brick directly from the kiln and stone directly from the bins. 
These tracks lead to our railroad track scale. 

Our loading facilities give us a brick yard and crushed stone yard that 
compares favorably with any in the immediate vicinity where many of the 
larger yards are located. 

Respectfully submitted, 

CHARLHS L. HENGELS, 

Stockhandler 



Report on Tailor and Shoe Shop 

The old saying "Clothes make the man," is one of the shibboleths of 
the management of the Institution. In order to conform to this saying 
and improve the appearance of the inmates, the light brown cloth cut in the 
style of overall and jumper, was done away with a number of years ago 
and in its place was substituted, dark blue jean cloth, cut in regular 
style of sack coat and trousers. At that time the present style of caps and 
shirts was also adopted. In the winter, inmates are provided with warm 
blue jean overcoats, caps, mittens and underwear all of which are manufac- 
tured in this department. 

For a number of years, all socks worn by the inmates have been made 
in this shop, and a better quality sock than could be purchased in the open 
market for the cost is thus afforded the inmates. 

In addition to the clothing of the inmates, all sheets, pillow-slips, 
mattress ticks, night shirts, towels, etc., required in an institution of this 
kind are manufactured in this shop. 

Several bushelmen and pressers are constantly employed in pressing 
and repairing the clothing of men about to be discharged, so that these men 
when they leave the institution, present a neat appearance, often more so 
than when they entered. 

Another part of the shop is devoted to the making of suits for govern- 
ment men about to be discharged. It being compulsory that each government 
man with a sentence of six months or more be furnished with a new suit of 
clothes. Only the more skilled tailors, are employed in this department. 

The repairing and cleaning of inmates clothing is another department 
which is kept busy all the time, in order that the aim of the administration, 
to keep the inmates always neat and clean, may be fulfilled. 

At different times this shop has been called upon to manufacture articles 
for other City Departments, notable among these orders was one some 
eight years ago when 18,000 bathing suits were made for the use of the 
public who frequent Clarendon Bathing Beach. Towels for various City 
Departments are also made in considerable quantities. 



PRESENT ADMINISTR ATION 63 

The shoe shop, which is an annex to the tailor shop, makes all shoes 
worn by the inmates. Two kinds of shoes are manufactured, a heavy 
leather shoe for the men employed in Brick-yard, Quarry and other outdoor 
work, and canvas shoes for the men who work in the shops. The repairs to 
these shoes is another class of work that keeps a large number of men 
continually busy. 

This department also includes a harness shop where in addition to the 
repairs of harness belonging to the institution, laundry bags for the Police 
Department are made after the style of mail bags used for registered mail. 

The work required of these shops necessitate a large number of 
machines all of which are modern and in accordance with the best manufac- 
turing methods. 

The majority of the men employed in these shops have sentences of 
six months or over, and although 85 % of them have no experience in 
tailoring or shoemaking, in three months time they become fairly expert, and 
an ambition to learn more, in order that th«y may be self-supporting in the 
future, is created in a great many of these inmates. 

The average number of men employed in these shops is 120, who help 
to "make the clothes that make the man," for the large number of their 
fellow men who at various times are guests of the institution. 

Respectfully yours, 

JOHN STRAKA. 

Supervisor of Tailor and Shoe Shop, 



City Ordinance 
governing house of correction 

House of Correction Established. — The buildings and inclosures 
erected and now standing, or that hereafter may be erected on that part of 
the east one-half of the southwest one -quarter of section twenty-five, 
township thirty-nine north, range thirteen, east of the third principal 
meridian, lying north of the west branch of the south branch of the Chicago 
river, being between Twenty-sixth street and the west branch of the south 
branch of the Chicago river, situate and lying within the city of Chicago, 
are constituted and established a house of correction for the said city; and 
any buildings and inclosures that may hereafter be erected on any lot or 
lands purchased, owned or leased by the city for the purpose of a house of 
correction, whether within or without the limits of said city, shall be subject 
to the conditions and provisions of this chapter. 

Superintendent — authority. — The superintendent of the house of cor- 
rection shall have the custody, rule, charge and keeping of the house of 
correction, and of all persons committed thereto, under the supervision and 
direction of the board of inspectors; and he shall enforce such order and 
discipline as shall be directed by such board. 

Bonds of superintendent and inspectors. — The superintendent and the 
inspectors of the house of correction shall severally, before entering upon 
the duties of their respective offices, execute bonds to the city of Chicago in 
the penal sum of five thousand dollars, each with such sureties as the city 
council shall approve, conditioned for the faithful performance of the duties 
of their respective offices. 

What prisoners to be received — prisoners to labor — credit for labor 
performed. — It shall be the duty of said superintendent to receive into the 
said house of correction such persons as may be committed thereto by any 
court or magistrate in Cook county, authorized by the laws of the state or 
by any ordinance of the city, or any town or village in Cook county having 
a contract with the city for the care of its prisoners, and to put each of such 
persons so committed, as are able to labor, to the work which they are 
respectively best able to do, not to exceed ten hours for each working day. 
Every person committed to the house of correction by a judge of the 
municipal court for a violation of any city ordinance, shall be allowed for 
each day's work exclusive of his or her board, the sum of fifty cents, which 
shall be applied in payment and satisfaction of the fine and costs imposed 
upon such person. 

County prisoners.— Under any agreement to that effect between the 
city and the board of commissioners of Cook county, the superintendent shall 



CITY ORDIN ANCE 65 

also receive into said house of correction anv person or persons who may be 
sentenced or committed thereto by any court or magistrate in and of Cook 
county, when such commitment is for a time not less than thirty days 

Conduct of inmates — penalty. — Every person committed to the house of 
correction shall obey the superintendent thereof in all his lawful commands, 
and shall not molest or hinder him in the discharge of his duty, and shall not 
escape or attempt to escape or assist others to escape or attempt to escape 
therefrom, or destroy or injure any property appertaining to the house of 
correction, and shall not transgress or violate the rules of discipline or any of 
them. Any person violating this section shall be fined not more than one 
hundred dollars for each offense. 

Interference with superintendent or prisoner — penalty. — It shall be 
lawful for the superintendent of the house of correction, and it is hereby 
made his duty, to arrest or cause to be arrested and taken before a judge of 
the municipal court every person who shall molest or in any manner interfere 
with the said superintendent (or with any person in his custody or charge 
as a prisoner), while in the discharge of his duty, either in the house of 
correction or elsewhere; and any person who shall so molest or interfere 
with the superintendent of the house of correction or any person in his 
custody or charge, shall be fined not more than fifty dollars for each offense. 

Mittimus with prisoner. — It shall be the duty of all members of the 
police force of the city delivering any person to the house of correction to 
deliver to the superintendent the mittimus or execution by virtue of which 
said person was committed, and to return immediately to the comptroller a 
duplicate thereof. 

Release of prisoner.— No person shall be released from the house of 
correction by the superintendent thereof, except upon the payment of the 
fine or by order of the mayor or some court of competent jurisdiction. He 
shall only release prisoners received by virture of a contract with any county, 
village or town, by expiration of sentence, by order of the board of village 
trustees or by a court of competent jurisdiction. 

Release of prisoner by order of court— report.— In every case where 
a prisoner is released by the order of any court of competent jurisdiction the 
superintendent of the house of correction shall at once report such release to 
the prosecuting attorney and accompany such report with a copy of the mit- 
timus on which such prisoner was committed to his charge. 

Board of Inspectors to make rules.— The board of inspectors shall 
have the right to make all proper rules and regulations for the purpose of 
carrying out the provisions of this chapter. 

Contracts. — The board of inspectors shall have power to award and 
execute contracts for the ordinary and necessary expenses and repairs of the 
institution; provided, that in all cases wherein the amount of such contracts 
shall exceed the sum of five hundred dollars the same shall be let to the 



66 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

lowest responsible bidder, after advertising, in the same manner as is provided 
for tlie letting of similar contracts by the department of public works. No con- 
tracts shall be let for a period extending beyond the end of the current fiscal 
year. 

Report of County prisoners. — The superintendent of the house of cor- 
rection shall make out and deliver to the clerk of the county board of com- 
missioners of Cook county, on the first day of each quarter, a statement 
duly verified, showing the names of all persons who have been confined in the 
house of correction during the preceeding quarter, under any provisions of the 
criminal code of this state, the amount of fines and the number of days as 
shown by the executions or mittimuses from the justice or inferior courts of 
this county, of their several confinements during said quarter, the dates of 
their committal, and the names of all persons discharged or released during 
said quarter, and by what authority they were discharged or released. 

Prisoners from other counties, towns and villages. — The board of in- 
spectors of the house of correction are hereby authorized to make contracts 
with any county in the state, or with the trustees of any town or village in 
Cook County, for the care and custody of prisoners for any term, at a price 
not less than twenty-five cents per day for each such prisoner. All contracts 
shall extend for the care of such prisoners until the expiration of their terms 
of sentence; and the labor of every such prisoner shall be the property of, 
and for the benefit of, the city. 



STATUTES 

ESTABLISHING HOUSE OF CORRECTION 



CHAPTER 67 
HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

AN ACT to establish houses of correction and authorize the confinement of 

convicted persons therein. [Approved April 25, 1871. In force 

July 1, 1871. L. 1871-2, p. 481.] 

Cities May Establish. Sec. 1. Be it enacted bi; the People of the 
State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly. That it shall be 
lawful for the municipal authorities, of any city within this state, to establish 
a house of correction, which shall be used for the confinement and punishment 
of criminals, or persons sentenced or committed thereto under the provisions 
of this act, or any law of this state, or ordinance of any city or village, au- 
thorizing the confinement of convicted persons, in any such house of correc- 
tion. [As ammended by act approved May 31, 1879. In force July 1, 1879- 

Inspectors-Appointmenl-Term of Office. Sec. 2. The management and 
direction of any house of correction already established or which may here- 
after be established in any such city, shall be under the control and authority 
of a board of inspectors, to be appointed for that purpose as in this section 
directed. The mayor of said city shall, by virtue of his office, be a member 
of said board, who, together with three persons to be appointed by the mayor, 
by and with the advice and consent of the legislative authority of said city,, 
shall constitute the said board of inspectors. The term of office for the ap- 
pointed members of said board shall be three years, but the members first 
appointed shall hold their office, respectively, as shall be determined by lot 
at the first meeting of said board, for one, two and three years from and after 
the first Monday in May, in the year of our Lord 1871, and thereafter one 
member shall be appointed each year for the full term of three years. 

Rules — Employees — Appropriations. Sec. 3. That whenever a board of 
inspectors have been organized as in section second of this act directed, they 
shall have power and authority to establish and adopt rules for the regulation 
and discipline of the said house of correction for which they have respectively 
been appointed, and upon the nomination of the superintendent thereof, to 
appoint the subordinate officers, guards and employees thereof; to fix their 
compensation and prescribe their duties genearliy; to make all such by-laws 
and ordinances in relation to the management and government thereof as they 
shall deem expedient. No appropriation of money shall be made by the said 



68 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

board of inspectors for any purpose other than the ordinary and necessary 
expenses and repairs of said institution, except with the sanction of the leg- 
islative authority of said city. 

Compensation and Duties of Inspectors — Records. Sec. 4. Said inspec- 
tors shall serve without fee or compensation. There shall be a meeting 
of the entire board, at the house of correction, once in every three months, 
when they shall fully examine into its management in every department, 
hear and determine all complaints or questions not within the province of the 
superintendent to determine, and make such further rules and regulations for 
the good government of said house of correction as to them shall seem proper 
and necessary. One of said appointed inspectors shall visit the said house 
of correction, once, at least, in each month. All rules, regulations or other 
orders of said board shall be recorded in a book to be kept for that purpose, 
which shall be deemed a public record, and, with the other books and records 
of said house of correction, shall be at all times subject to the examination of 
any member or committee of the legislative authority, the comptroller, treas- 
urer, corporation counsel or attorney of any such city. 

Books^Quarterly Statement — Accounts. Sec 5. The books of said 
house of correction shall be so kept as to clearly exhibit the state of the pris- 
oners, the number received and discharged, the number employed as servants 
or in cultivating or improving the premises, the number employed in each 
branch of industry carried on, and the receipts from, and expenditures for, 
and on account of, each department of business, or for improvement of the 
premises. A quarterly statement shall be made out, which shall specify 
minutely, all receipts and expenditures, from whom received and to whom 
paid, and for what purpose; proper vouchers for each, to be audited and cer- 
tified by the inspectors, and submitted to the comptroller of said city, and by 
him, to the legislative authority thereof, for examination and approval. The 
accounts of said house of correction shall be annually closed and balanced on 
the first day of January of each year, and a full report of the operations of 
the preceeding year, shall be made out and submitted to the legislative au- 
thority of said city, and to the Governor of the State, to be by him trans- 
mitted to the General Assembly. [As amended by act approved May 31, 1879. 
In force July 1, 1879. 

Further Reports— Removal of Officers, Etc. Sec. 6. The legislative 
authority of said city may require such further reports and exhibits of the 
condition and management of such institution as to them shall seem necessary 
and proper, and may, with the approval of the mayor, remove any inspector 
of said institution. But any subordinate officer or employee may be removed 
by the superintendent at his discretion, but immediately upon the removal of 
such officer or employee, he shall report to said board the name of the per- 
son removed, and the cause of such removal. 

Duties of Superintendent — Appointment — Term of Office — Deputy. 
Sec. 7. The superintendent of said house of correction shall have entire con- 



STATUTES 69 



trol and management of all its concerns, subject to the authority established 
by law, and the rules and regulations adopted for its government. It shall 
be his duty to obey and carry out all written orders and instructions of the 
inspectors not inconsistent with the laws, rules and regulations relating to 
the government of said institution. He shall be appointed by the mayor by 
and with the consent of said board of inspectors, and shall hold his office for 
four years and until his successor shall have been duly appointed and quali- 
fied, but he may be removed by the inspectors at any time, when in their 
judgment it shall be advisable. He shall be responsible for the manner in 
which said house of correction is managed and conducted. He shall reside 
at said house of correction, devote all his time and attention to the business 
thereof, and visit and examine into the condition and management of every 
department thereof and of each prisoner therein confined, daily. He shall 
exercise a general supervision and direction in regard to the discipline, police 
and business of said house of correction. The deputy superintendent of 
said house of correction shall have and exercise the powers of the superin- 
tendent in his absence, so far as relates to the discipline thereof and the safe 
keeping of prisoners. 

County May Use House of Correction. Sec. 8. The board of super- 
visors or commissioners of any county, and the board of trustees of any 
village or town, in any county in this State, in which a house of correction 
is established, shall have full power and authority to enter into an agreement 
with the legislative authority of such city, or with any authorized agent or 
officer in behalf of such city, to receive and keep in said house of correction 
any person or persons who may be sentenced or committed thereto, by any 
court or magistrate, in any of said counties, whenever such agreement shall 
have been made, it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors or commis- 
sioners for any county in behalf of which, such agreement has been made, or 
of the trustees of the village or town, in behalf of which, such agreement has 
been made, as the case may be, to give public notice thereof, in some news- 
paper printed and published within said county, for a period not less than 
four weeks, and such notice shall state the period of time for which such 
agreement will remain in force. [As amended by act approved May 31, 1879. 
In force July 1, 1879. 

Commitment.— Sec. 9. in counties, towns and villages having such an 
agreement with any such city, it shall be the duty of every court, police jus- 
tice, justice of peace, or other magistrate in such county, town or village, by 
whom any person, for any crime or misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment 
in the county jail, shall be convicted, to commit such person to the said house 
of correction, in lieu of committing him to the county jail, village or town 
calaboose, there to be received, and kept in the manner prescribed by law and 
the discipline of the said house of correction. And it shall be the duty of such 
court, police justice, justice of the peace, or other magistrate, by a warrant of 
commitment, duly issued, to cause such person so sentenced to be forthwith 



70 HOUSE OF CORRECTION 

conveyed by some proper officer to said house of correction. [As approved 
May 31, 1879.] 

Conveying convict to house of correction— fees. — Sec. 10. !t shall be 
the duty of the sheriff, constable or other officer in and for any county having 
such agreement with any such city to whom any warrant of commitment for 
that purpose may be directed by and court, justice or magistrate aforesaid, in 
such county, to convey such person so sentenced to the said house of correc- 
tion, and there deliver such person to the keeper or other proper officer of 
said house of correction, whose duty it shall be to receive such person so 
sentenced, and to safely keep and employ such person for the term mentioned 
in the warrant of commitment, according to the laws of said house of correc- 
tion; and the officers thus conveying and so delivering the person or persons 
so sentenced shall be allowed such fees, as compensation therefor as shall be 
prescribed or allowed by the board of supervisors or commissioners of the 
said county. 

Application of other laws, etc. — Sec. 11. All provisions of law and ordi- 
nances authorizing the commitment and confinement of persons in jails, bride- 
wells and other city prisons, are hereby made applicable to all persons who 
may or shall be, under the provisions of this act, sentenced to such house of 
correction. 

House of shelter. — Sec. 12. It shall be lawful for the inspectors of any 
such house of correction to establish in connection with the same a depart- 
ment thereof, to be called a house of shelter, for the more complete reforma- 
tion and education of females. The inspectors shall adopt rules and regula- 
tions by which any female convict may be imprisoned in one or more separate 
apartments of the said house of correction, or of the department thereof called 
the house of shelter. The superintendent of said house of correction shall 
appoint, by and with the advice of the board of inspectors, a matron and 
other teachers and employes for the said house of shelter, whose compensa- 
tion shall be fixed and provided for as in this act provided for the officers and 
other employes of the said house of correction. 

Expenses. — Sec. 13. The expenses of maintaining any such house of 
correction over and above all receipts for the labor of persons confined therein, 
and such sums of money as may be received from time to time by virtue of an 
agreement with a county, as in this act contemplated, shall be audited and 
paid from time to time by the legislative authority of such city, and shall be 
raised, levied and collected as the ordinary expenses of the said city. 

United States convicts. — Sec. 14. It shall be lawful for the inspectors 
of any such house of correction to enter into an agreement with any officer of 
the United States aurthorized therefor, to receive and keep in such house of 
correction any person sentenced thereto, or ordered to be imprisoned therein, 
by any court of the United States or other federal officer, until discharged 
by law. 



STATUTES 71 



Bridewell changed to house of correction. — Sec. 15. That in any such 
city having prior to the passage of this act, established a bridewell for the 
confinement of convicted persons, such institution shall, immediately upon 
the appointment of the inspectors in this act contemplated be known and de- 
nominated as the house of correction of the city in which it is located. 

Salary of superintendent — record of conduct — good time — Sec. 16. The 
superintendent of any such house of correction shall receive a salary per 
annum, to be fixed by the legislative authority of such city, to be paid quar- 
terly. It shall be his duty to keep a record of each and all infractions of the 
rules and discipline of said house of correction, with the names of each, the 
convict offending, and the date and character of each offense, and every convict 
sentenced or committed for six months or more, whose name does not appear 
upon such record, shall be entitled to a deduction of three days per month 
from his or her sentence for each month he or she shall continue to obey all 
the rules of said house of correction. 

Oath— bond.— Sec. 17. The inspectors of any such house of correction 
and the superintendent thereof, shall, before they enter on the duties of their 
respective offices, take and subscribe the usual oath of office. Said inspec- 
tors and superintendent shall severally give bond to such city with surities, 
and in a penal sum such as may be required by the legislative authority 
thereof, for the faithful performance of their duties. 













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